asked the Minister for Justice if, in view of the fact that 37 persons have died in Garda or prison custody during the past ten years, he will consider establishing a sworn public inquiry to examine the circumstances of these deaths and to make recommendations for the more effective supervision of persons in custody; if he intends to take any action in response to the comments of the city coroner and the rider of the jury at the recent inquest into the death of a person (details supplied) in Mountjoy Prison, held on 20 October 1989; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Deaths of Persons in Custody.
39.
The circumstances of each death in custody are examined by the appropriate authorities and these examinations fully cover the background and circumstances of each death. A specific objective of these examinations is to identify, where possible, measures which might be taken to contribute to the prevention of tragic deaths of this nature. Each death is also the subject of a public inquiry by way of inquest. I announced recently the establishment of an advisory group — comprised of representatives of various disciplines involved with the care of prisoners — to specifically examine the issue of deaths in prisons and to make recommendations in relation to any aspect of this matter. There will be full consultation with those — including staff representatives — who may be in a position to help in this work and I have asked the group to conduct their task with the necessary sense of urgency. In the circumstances I am not satisfied that an inquiry of the nature referred to by the Deputy would serve any useful purpose beyond what can be achieved under existing arrangements.
The rider of the jury in the case of the inquest referred to by the Deputy was to the effect that the bars of all the windows in Mountjoy Prison should be inspected to see if it would be possible to eliminate the risk of their being used by prisoners in attempts to take their own lives. This matter of the bars in prison windows has been given careful consideration but the reality is that it has not so far proved feasible to devise any system which would totally eliminate all possibility of attempts at hanging and which at the same time would meet security needs. The matter will, however, continue to be kept under review.