Noel Davern
Ceist:280 Mr. Davern asked the Minister for Justice the cost for each prisoner movement not directly related to either court appearances or prison transfers; and if she will clarify these costs and the reasons for them. [24600/96]
Written Answers. - Costs of Prisoner Movement.
Prisoners are escorted outside prison for a number of reasons, apart from court appearances and prison transfers, including compassionate outings to a family funeral or to visit a sick relative, attendance at training courses and attendance at hospital for out-patient or in-patient treatment. Such escorts are a normal part of the day-to-day operation of the prison system.
The costs involved in providing these escorts comprise the remuneration of the escorting officers and some transport costs. The number of officers assigned to each escort and the duration of those escorts vary widely depending on the circumstances and, therefore, so do the costs involved.