Vol. 430 No. 7
11 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Justice the numbers of persons who have died in prisons and in Garda stations in each of the years from 1991 to date; the number of these which were believed to be self-inflicted; the progress, if any, which has been made to date in implementing the report of the Advisory Group on Prison Deaths; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
A total of five persons died in prisons in 1991, five in 1992 and two to date, in 1993. Inquests have taken place in respect of six of these deaths. Three of the deaths were adjudged by the coroner to have been from asphyxia, one from shock and haemorrhage as a result of a wound, one from natural causes and one as a result of a drugs overdose. Inquests have yet to be held in relation to the other deaths.
A total of seven persons died in Garda custody during the same time period. Five died in 1991, one in 1992 and one to date, in 1993. Inquests have taken place in relation to all of these deaths. The coroner returned a verdict that four of the deaths were as a result of asphyxia, two from natural causes and one from an excessive high concentration of alcohol and possibly drugs.
Of the 57 recommendations contained in the Report of the Advisory Group on Prison Deaths, 33 have been implemented and arrangements are in train to implement a further 17. The remaining recommendations are more long term in nature and will be implemented over a period of time.
In relation to the inquests which are outstanding in respect of prison deaths, will the Minister indicate how long those requests are outstanding and what is the longest outstanding one? The report discussed at the Conference of the Prison Officers' Association last week indicated that there were almost 200 cases of self-injury or self-mutilation in prisons last year and 36 cases of serious suicidal intent. Apart from the deaths which have occurred there appears to be in our prison system an epidemic of attempted suicide and self-mutilation. What steps are being taken to deal with that problem?
In relation to the outstanding inquests, one death occurred in August 1991, one in March 1992, one in June 1992, one in August 1992, one in April 1993 and one in March 1993. In relation to the incidence of suicide, I would not accept what the Deputy said, that there was almost an epidemic of suicide or attempted suicide in our prisons. I am aware that certain disquiet has been expressed by commentators in relation to the lack of training for custodial officers in suicide awareness. Because of that I have arranged, with the help of the Samaritans, to set up a two day training course in the coming months. This course will cover the way a prison officer should relate to a distressed prisoner, the importance of active listening, being non-judgmental and non-directive, the stigma of suicide, bereavement, depression, sexuality and young people at risk. Getting the active support of a voluntary organisation daily is the correct way to go about helping those charged with caring for prisoners, namely the prison officers.
In relation to the inquests which are outstanding, will the Minister explain why they have been outstanding for so long, in particular the inquest in 1991 which is now two years old? Why has it taken so long to carry out inquests into prison deaths?
I do not have that information but I will communicate with the Deputy when I receive it.
