Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 January 2013
511. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will detail the inspection regime in place to monitor conditions at Mountjoy Prison, Dublin; if he will outline all measures employed to ensure appropriate conditions are maintained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2911/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that principle responsibility for the inspection of any prison rests with the prison Governor. Rule 77 of the Prison Rules 2007 sets out that " The Governor shall make daily inspections of the prison including those areas of the prison where prisoners are accommodated or congregate or are otherwise held".
I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that the Governor of Mountjoy Prison, accompanied by the Chief Officer, visits and inspects all areas of the prison on a daily basis. In addition, a Governor is also assigned responsibility for each division of the prison and that Governor attends the relevant division each morning to meet with prisoners.
The Deputy will also be aware that the Inspector of Prisons has been established on a statutory basis since 2007 by virtue of Part 5 of the Prisons Act, 2007 and is independent. The key role assigned to the Inspector is to carry out regular inspections of the 14 Prisons and Places of Detention in the State and to present his report(s) on each institution visited as well as an Annual Report to me. In addition, the Inspector has also produced a number of reports in relation to general prison policies including the duties and obligations owed to prisoners by the Irish Prison Service. The Inspector's most recent Report on Mountjoy Prison was completed in March 2011.
The Prisons (Visiting Committees) Act 1925 requires a visiting committee to be constituted for every prison in the State and the duties of the Visiting Committee include visiting the prison in respect of which they are appointed and to hear any complaints which may be made to them by any prisoner. They also report to me on any abuses observed or found by them in such prison; and any repairs to such prison which may appear to them to be urgently needed.
I announced plans some time ago to strengthen the independent oversight of our prisons. Under new legislation to be prepared, I intend to make Visiting Committees more effective while they continue their role of visiting prisons, meeting with prisoners, and liaising on their behalf with prison authorities. A link will be established between the Visiting Committees and the Inspector of Prisons. Visiting Committees will report every two months to the Inspector on any issue that they wish to bring to his attention. They will be able to report any urgent or major issue to him at any time. They will continue their role of visiting prisons. They will continue to meet with prisoners and liaise on their behalf with prison authorities. But they will be more effective.
Additional independent prisons monitoring is also provided by international bodies such as the Irish Human Rights Commission, the Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) and , is also provided by the regular visits by the Council of Europe Committee on the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
