Prison Service

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2022

Tuesday, 12 July 2022

Questions (740)

Réada Cronin

Question:

740. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Justice if her Department will examine the number of phone lines and operators that are available in each prison for booking phone calls (details supplied); the number of prisoners who are eligible for visits in each facility; if the PPSN card is deemed suitable identification for a visit; if not, the reasons for same; the reason that family parcels with essential items cannot be accepted on the day of a visit subject to the usual checks; if her Department will consider the effect of these barriers and delays given the impact on children of prisoners who feel they too are being punished; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37525/22]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

I wish to inform the Deputy that from Monday 11 July 2022 all prisoners are entitled to receive two physical family visits per month, physical visits are limited to five persons with a maximum of three adult visitors. Prisoners may also avail of up to four video visits or a combination of both per month.

Each prison has a dedicated telephone line for the public to make contact and book a visit appointment, these phone lines are manned during visiting hours. There is also an option for families to request a visit through the online request system, this is accessible through the Irish Prison Service website – visit a prison – request video call.

The Irish Prison Service have informed me that they recently received a small number of complaints from the public in relation to technical issues regarding the online service and steps have been taken to address these.

Access to physical visits will continue to be monitored by the National Infection Control Team and Prison Management. Information regarding visits is available on the Irish Prison Service website, www.irishprisons.ie. and social media platforms for families and friends.

The Public Services Card is an accepted form of identification in use at Limerick, Midlands and Wheatfield Prisons. Arrangements are being made to facilitate its use across all prisons by year end.

The Prison Service are 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.

While the Irish Prison Service is continuing to re-open and unwind Covid-19 measures, there are still some restrictions in place given the environment of a prison and the vulnerability of some of the people within our prisons. Currently the Irish Prison Service are not accepting prisoner property during visits.

I can assure the Deputy that any remaining restrictions are kept under review by the Irish prison Service in light of the level of risk posed to prisons.