Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 September 2007
150 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of mobile telephones which have been seized in each prison in the past twelve months; if any prosecutions for possession of mobile phones have taken place or are pending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21173/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that the information requested by the Deputy is as follows:
|
Prison |
Number of Mobile Phones Seized |
|
Arbour Hill |
4 |
|
Training Unit |
39 |
|
Shelton Abbey |
24 |
|
Portlaoise |
44 |
|
Castlerea |
91 |
|
Midlands |
97 |
|
Cloverhill |
104 |
|
Limerick |
202 |
|
Mountjoy |
551 |
|
Dóchas |
57 |
|
St. Patrick’s Institution |
102 |
|
Wheatfield |
179 |
|
Loughan House |
82 |
|
Cork |
68 |
|
Total |
1,644 |
Along with the mobile phones seized inside prison walls, staff of the Prison Service Escort Corps have also intercepted 3 mobile phones while escorting prisoners to and from court.
Section 36 of the Prisons Act 2007, which was brought into operation from 1 May, 2007 makes it an offence for prisoners to have unauthorised possession of, or use mobile telecommunications devices. Under the Act it is also an offence to supply such a device to a prisoner. The penalty for such an offence, on summary conviction, is a fine not exceeding €5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both, and on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding €10,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or both.
It is Irish Prison Service policy to report seizures of mobile phones to the Garda authorities. It is important to note that prosecutions will not arise in respect of all instances of mobile phone seizure, owing to the number of mobile phones found in double cells, toilet areas or in the prison yards. It would be impossible to determine in such instances what prisoner was the owner or intended recipient of such devices.
I can assure the Deputy that I am determined to deal with the problem of prisoners using mobile phones and, in this context, I believe technology offers the only real answer to dealing with the problem. In that regard the Prison Service is at an advanced stage in the examination and procurement of technological options for dealing with the use of mobile phones within prisons. In the time available, it is not possible to provide the information requested by the Deputy concerning the number of prosecutions for possession of mobile phones. I will furnish the information to the Deputy as soon as possible.
