Vol. 396 No. 3
33 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice if he will give details of the inquiry which has been held into the circumstances of the death on 26 December 1989 of a person (details supplied) in Mountjoy Prison; the total number of prisoners who died in (a) prison and (b) Garda stations during 1989; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The prison authorities and the Garda have investigated the circumstances surrounding the death referred to by the Deputy. As an inquest is to be held I do not consider that it would be appropriate for me to make any further comment on this matter at this stage.
There were four deaths in prisons and three deaths in Garda stations during 1989.
In my reply to Question No. 39 of 13 December 1989 I informed the House of 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.
I thank the Minister for his reply, but I am very sad to learn that the matter is investigated by prison officers and gardaí alone. Will the Minister agree in regard to that death that there were at the trial of the person very strong indications of suicidal potential and that it appears to be another of these cases of people who perhaps should not be in the prison environment but in some other caring environment being lost because of inadequate response to existing recommendations such as are contained in the Whitaker report?
I assure the Deputy that I share his concern. Any death in custody has to be a matter of concern. That is why the advisory group who involve the various disciplines involving care of prisoners has been established. Various riders to inquest jury verdicts have been examined carefully by the prison authorities and implemented when considered appropriate and practical. For example, a self-call system to enable offenders to contact staff is being put in place in a rewiring of Mountjoy. However, I feel I should not comment at this stage as there is to be an inquest on this matter and it would be quite improper for me to comment when an inquest is to be held.
I appreciate that and I will not pursue that aspect, but on the general issue of seven deaths in custody during the past year and no indication that it is ever going to end, how soon does the Minister anticipate the advisory group established to investigate this matter will report and what progress is being made in respect of their work?
I have asked them as a matter of urgency to report. I have also asked them to take observations and comments from any group or individual who feel they have something to add to their report. I am looking forward to receiving their report at an early date.
