Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:376 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of complaints of mistreatment of juveniles in custody; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13596/03]
Written Answers. - Juvenile Offenders.
For the purpose of this question a juvenile is assumed to be a person aged under 18 years of age. I am informed by the director general of the Irish Prison Service that, for the years 2001 and 2002, there were no formal complaints made against staff by juveniles detained in either St. Patrick's Institution or Shanganagh Castle. The vast majority of prison inmates aged under 18 years of age would have been detained in either of these institutions during that time period. Any formal complaint made by a prisoner, regardless of their age, would of course be fully investigated.
In relation to the issue of complaints of mistreatment of juveniles while in the custody of the Garda Síochána, I wish to advise the Deputy that this information is not readily available and could be obtained only by the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of staff time and resources.