Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 February 2023
139. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of category A complaints received in 2021 and 2022 that were upheld, not upheld, not proven, terminated or incomplete, respectively, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7459/23]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that all prisoners may make a complaint at any time and that the Irish Prison Service treats all complaints with the utmost seriousness.
‘Category A’ complaints are those alleging assault or use of excessive force against a prisoner, ill-treatment, racial abuse, discrimination, intimidation, threats or any other conduct against a prisoner of a nature and gravity likely to bring discredit on the Irish Prison Service. The Irish Prison Service has a dedicated Prisoner Complaints Unit that coordinates the complaints mechanism and ensures confidentiality.
I am advised that ‘Category A’ complaints are assigned for investigation to independent investigators outside of the Irish Prison Service. I am further advised that prior to COVID-19 restrictions, the majority of complaints were completed within 3 to 6 months from the date of the complaint. Investigators are required to conduct face-to-face interviews and take signed statements from all parties to the complaint. The time-frame for completion of investigations was compromised during COVID-19 restrictions which prevented physical access to prisons. Due to the backlog caused by COVID-19 and the depletion in the number of Investigators available, investigations into Category A complaints are currently taking an average of 10 months to complete. The Irish Prison Service advise that they are actively examining opportunities to attract additional investigators to improve that timeframe.
The information requested by the Deputy, in relation to the outcome of the independently investigate Category A complaints for 2021 and 2022, is set out in the table below.
|
Year |
2021 |
|
Number of Cat A Complaints |
84 |
|
Breakdown |
|
|
Withdrawn |
7 |
|
Outside Scope |
8 |
|
Upheld |
0 |
|
Part Upheld |
3 |
|
Not upheld |
58 |
|
Unable to determine |
5 |
|
Incomplete |
3 |
|
Year |
2022 |
|
Number of Cat A Complaints |
68 |
|
Breakdown |
|
|
Withdrawn |
2 |
|
Outside Scope |
3 |
|
Upheld |
1 |
|
Part Upheld |
11 |
|
Not upheld |
0 |
|
Unable to determine |
0 |
|
Incomplete |
51 |
