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Covid-19 Pandemic

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 February 2022

Thursday, 10 February 2022

Questions (370)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Question:

370. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Justice if her Department is tracking the progress of the removal of Covid-19 restrictions in Irish prisons; the details of the restrictions that have been removed across the prison estate and in each prison particularly in regard to the removal of legal and family visitation restrictions in prisons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7119/22]

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Written answers

The Irish Prison Service is committed to the provision of safe, secure and humane custody for people who are sent to prison in this State. Covid-19 in a prison setting presents significant challenges for prison management in terms of controlling the spread of the virus amongst staff and prisoners, and the provision of appropriate medical treatment to affected persons.

Everyone involved in the Prison Service has worked tirelessly to ensure effective infection control measures are in place while at the same time continuing to provide a range of rehabilitative support services for prisoners in custody.

The Prison Service has continued to review and modify Covid restrictions throughout the pandemic. Restrictive measures have been modified in line with the various announcements made by Government and in line with advice from Public Health/HSE and the Irish Prison Service National Infection Control Team.In 2021, the unwinding of restrictions was linked to the roll out of the Covid-19 vaccination programme in prisons. As a result of the successful roll out of the programme to all prisons, the Service was able to unwind a significant amount of measures in all locations with the exception of Cloverhill Prison which did not have a critical mass of prisoners vaccinated at the time.

In October 2021, following the latest advice from Government, the Prison Service commenced a significant unwinding of measures in line with similar action taken in the community.

This included:

- the recommencement of physical visits in all locations (except Cloverhill Prison),

- the removal on the restriction preventing the mixing of prisoners from different areas within the prison,

- the return of constructive activities to full capacity,

- the recommencement of prisoner temporary release programmes, and

- the resumption of religious services.

The resumption of these services was contingent on the continuation of a number of infection control measures to ensure the health and safety of both staff/service providers and prisoners.

A number of other restrictions were retained at that time including the continued suspension of non-essential prison visits, the continued suspension of group gatherings including award ceremonies and presentations, the continued need to maintain social distancing and the wearing of face coverings in line with both public health guidance and Government restrictions in place in the community.

More recently, following a short two week suspension in January 2022, the Prison Service confirmed that all physical family visits would recommence on 24 January, 2022.

The Prison Service is continuing to work towards the full restoration of physical visits to pre-pandemic levels on a phased basis. Prisoners are currently entitled to receive one thirty minute physical visit every fortnight and on the weeks that they are not receiving a physical family visit, prisoners are able to avail of a video visit. Prisoners may also choose to avail of a video visit instead of a physical visit if they prefer.

The number of visitors permitted on a visit will increase to three persons with effect from 14 February 2022 and the Prison Service will review these arrangements at the beginning of March with a view to restoring weekly physical visits, subject to the availability of resources and the risk of infection.

While I understand that physical visits for legal representatives to those in the custody of the Irish Prison Service have been maintained throughout the pandemic , I am advised that some logistical difficulties have arisen in that regard on occasion.

The Irish Prison Service has continued to engage with the Law Society throughout the pandemic to provide information on the restrictions in prisons which may have impacted on physical visits, especially during Covid-19 outbreak situations, and I am advised that the Service has encouraged solicitors, where possible, to use the video visit system for consultations with clients.

I am assured by the Irish Prison Service that every effort has been made, and continues to be made, to ensure that solicitors can meet with their clients across the prison estate.

In addition to the measures set out above, a recent review of restrictive measures by the Service has seen a number of other restrictions eased. Work and Training and Education are returning to pre-pandemic capacity. Arrangements are being made for the return of a number of in-reach service providers to prisons on a priority basis and the Service has commenced planning for the recommencement of the National Drug Treatment Programme in Mountjoy Prison.

The Irish Prison Service has been managing a number of Covid-19 outbreaks in prisons since November 2021 which have resulted in a significant number of prisoners and staff testing positive for the virus.

The Prison Service introduced a Covid-19 Contingency Plan which is implemented during an outbreak of the virus within a prison. The Service is currently revising this Plan and the procedures for the management of outbreaks which will eliminate the need for widespread restrictions and mass testing and ensure that restrictions are limited to the areas impacted by the outbreak.

The Service intends to continue to review remaining restrictions on an ongoing basis and the unwinding of these measures will be determined by the level of risk posed to prisons at that time and taking account of Government decisions.

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