Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 April 2023
88. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 139 of 15 February 2023, the total number of category ‘A’ complaints made by female prisoners in 2022 and their outcomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18561/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware all prisoners may make a complaint at any time and the Irish Prison Service treats all complaints with the utmost seriousness.
Complaints received by the Irish Prison Service vary in nature and gravity. For example, some may relate to conditions of accommodation, quality of food or access to services while other complaints can be more serious such as allegations of assault, mistreatment or intimidation.
The current system categorises complaints according to their nature and severity, ranging from the most serious 'Category A' complaint through to a 'Category F' complaint. Further information on the Prisoner Complaints System, including these categories, is available on the on the Irish Prison Service website www.irishprisons.ie - Prisoner Services – Prisoner Complaints.
The most serious '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. I am advised that 'Category A' complaints are assigned for investigation to independent investigators outside of the Irish Prison Service.
The Irish Prison Service has a dedicated Prisoner Complaints Unit that coordinates the complaints mechanism and ensures confidentiality. Communication of the outcome of complaints is managed in accordance with the legislation as set out in Rule 57B of the Prison Rules 2007.
I am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that five Category A complaints were made by women in 2022. To date, two of the external independent investigations of these complaints have concluded which deemed there were no reasonable ground for sustaining the complaints, two complaints are currently under investigation and one complaint is awaiting assignment to an Investigator.
