Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
1051. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which the prisons throughout the country are effectively sealed off from the point of view of drug distribution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18323/23]
View answerThe stated mission of the Irish Prison Service is to provide safe, secure and humane custody for people who are sent to prison. The Irish Prison Service is committed to managing custodial sentences in a way which encourages and supports prisoners to embrace change and work towards living law-abiding and purposeful lives on release.
The pernicious nature of the problems caused by the presence of harmful drugs, within communities, and in prisons, has been well-documented. The incursion of illicit drugs to the prison environment poses a number of challenges and risks, not only in terms of the negative health issues caused by addiction, but also by increasing threats to safe custody and good order as manifested in acts of violence, self-harm, bullying and other criminal activity.
Over 70% of people committed to prison have addiction issues. Those in active addiction, continue their drug-seeking behaviour inside prison, notwithstanding the supports that are available to address their addiction and support recovery. The Prison Service has taken determined actions to reduce the flow of contraband into prisons but, similar to communities nationwide, no prison community is completely 'sealed off' from the illegal trafficking of drugs, and drug-free prisons will only be possible when we have a drug-free society.
That said, the Prison Service takes a very proactive approach to preventing the smuggling of contraband into prisons and continues to review and upgrade security measures on an ongoing basis to tackle and reduce the smuggling of contraband into prisons. Some of these measures include:
Full security reviews of all prisons are currently under way and expected to conclude in Quarter 2, 2023;
Installation of nets across prison exercise yards and ongoing research into new models;
Drug-swabbing machines at entry-points to closed prisons;
Targeted, intelligence-led searching;
Random searching;
A pilot scheme to examine the use of anti-drone technology;
Placement of prisoners in high-security locations;
Re-aligning the Irish Prison Service Canine Unit in the Operational Support Group;
Use of CCTV;
Use of confidential phone line;
Continuing research into technological solutions to prevent the smuggling of contraband into prisons, within the limitations of existing legislation;
Continuing consultation and ideas exchange with other prison jurisdictions;
Customer service training for front-of-house staff to enhance detection practice;
Ongoing development and strengthening of the Irish Prison Service partnership with An Garda Síochána, with regard to the organised trafficking of contraband into prisons;
Joint Garda & Irish Prison Service operations to tackle drugs being thrown across prison walls; and
Awareness building of the harmful effects of illicit drug use amongst the prison population, including peer-led education and information campaigns, and information campaigns directed at visitors.
The Prison Service is currently working to update and publish a new Illicit Drug Strategy by end of quarter 2 2023. This strategy will re-affirm the commitment to working steadfastly to reduce the harm of drug use within the prison population. This strategy will set out practical goals to increase support for security measures to prevent access, education and information programmes to deter trafficking, and drug treatment and counselling services in collaboration with government and non-government partners to help tackle the insidious threat posed by illegal drug use and trafficking.
