asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of any disquiet on the part of prison officers with regard to the withdrawal of responsibility from prison officers in the training of offenders; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Prison Officers' Responsibility.
71.
The only suggestion on these lines that has come to my notice has been what has appeared in the newspapers. If the newspaper reports are correct, it would appear that some prison officers object to the introduction into the prison service of persons with special qualifications or training, such as teachers or welfare officers.
I could not agree to abandon or modify the policy of employing people with such qualifications to do the specialised work that is being allotted to them, a policy which is in line with views expressed from time to time by Deputies on all sides of this House.
I am satisfied, however, that the introduction of such people into the prison service does not and will not result in any diminution of the status of prison officers or in these officers being excluded from participating in rehabilitation work. On the contrary, the detailed plans which I recently outlined to the House in relation to prisons and other institutions, and which are being implemented, will give prison officers more scope than ever before to contribute to the rehabilitation of prisoners.
The Parliamentary Secretary will agree that it was necessary for him to make this statement. Because of the disquiet on the part of these people that they might become redundant it was important that this statement should be made.
That is not a supplementary question.