Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 April 2023
305. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the current legal provisions which govern the establishment of women's prisons separate from men's prisons; the policy basis for housing male and female prisoners in separate facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18642/23]
View answerThe Prison Rules, 2007 (S.I. No. 252/2007) set out the minimum rules and regulations on all aspects of life in prisons in Ireland, including admission, accommodation, visiting rights, health, discipline, education, and so forth. Much of the daily operation of prisons is guided by the Prison Rules.
Where a court makes an order committing a person to a prison, the Prison Service must accept that person into custody in whichever prison is specified by the court.
While all prisoners committed are accommodated in accordance with their legal gender, it should be noted that Irish prisons are not legally defined as 'male' or 'female' prisons. However, Prison Rule 52 provides for male and female prisoners to be accommodated in separate areas.
Regardless of their gender or any other characteristic, every person committed to the care of the IPS undergoes a committal assessment to look at their needs and at what is required to ensure their safety and well-being as well as to ensure the safety and well-being of the wider prison population and of staff.
