asked the Minister for Justice why visitors to prisoners in Portlaoise prison have not been allowed to see them since February.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Prison Visitors.
1.
Since 1st February, 1976, there have been over 2,000 separate visits to prisoners in Portlaoise Prison each involving two or three persons on average. For security reasons, however, some persons have been refused entry as visitors.
Are there any arrangements made whereby relatives visiting from a long distance can clear the lines before they actually travel to this prison, Limerick prison or any other prison? Is there a method that would be helpful to them rather than having them arrive, as they do at times, and finding there is no admittance?
Yes, any person who proposes to visit a prisoner for the first time would be well advised to give advance notice to the Governor of his or her intention and that person would be cleared. That can be done. The prison authorities would prefer a system of visits by prior arrangement. This would obviate large crowds on certain days of the week but prisoners in Portlaoise, especially, were not prepared to co-operate in that regard.
Would that suggestion apply to all prisoners, to those in Limerick jail as well?
Yes, to all prisoners.
Have any of these visitors who have been refused permission, as referred to by the Minister, included solicitors claiming that they wished to interview their clients?
I have not got a breakdown of the people who have been refused facilities. They have been refused for various security reasons and it is possible that the need which led to the introduction of new prison regulations with regard to certain members of the legal profession first manifested itself among this particular group.