Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 February 2015
136. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of those aged 18 to 20, inclusive, in prison, and those in Wheatfield Place of Detention, who are in basic regime; the number in standard regime; the number in enhanced regime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8617/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra137. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of those aged 21 to 24, inclusive, in prison, and in Wheatfield Place of Detention, who are in basic regime; the number in standard regime; the number in enhanced regime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8618/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 136 and 137 together.
I can inform the Deputy that the Incentivised Regimes Policy was introduced on a phased basis across all prisons in 2012 and is now operational in all institutions. Incentivised Regimes provides for a differentiation of privileges between prisoners according to their level of engagement with services and quality of behaviour. The objective is to provide tangible incentives to prisoners to participate in structured activities and to reinforce good behaviour, leading to a safer and more secure environment.
There are three levels of privilege - basic, standard and enhanced and each prison has developed an information booklet on how the scheme operates and specifically on the criteria and privileges associated with each level of regime.
Prisoners on the enhanced regime level are significantly more likely to benefit from temporary release programmes such as Community Return – where prisoners are released early under Probation Supervision to partake of voluntary work for the benefit of the community – and/or transfer to an open centre. These are significant motivational factors in encouraging prisoners to engage in authorised structured activities and improve general behaviour. The hope is that these benefits are not just apparent in prisons and that the behavioural change effected will stay with the prisoner on his release. Experience in other jurisdictions has shown that an incentivised regime structure is a hugely valuable addition to prisons in the context of good order and prisoner compliance.
The standard set of core privileges provided in each prison comprises of different levels of daily gratuity ranging from €0.95 to €2.20, the number and length of visits a prisoner is allowed to receive and the number of telephone calls a prisoner is allowed to make. Each prison has drawn up a list of privileges available under each regime level. The list of available privileges is likely to vary between prisons and within different areas of a prison, depending on the operational and infrastructure requirements of each prison. Examples of other incentives offered include improved accommodation (e.g. move from dormitory accommodation to a single room in an open centre). In the past, access to facilities such as DVD players, games consoles have been provided. Prisoners can also gain access to employment opportunities within the prison e.g. kitchens, laundries etc.
I can advise the Deputy that on 24 February 2015, 18-20 year olds in custody were assigned to the following regime levels: Basic - 27; Standard - 148; and, Enhanced - 72. On the same date, 21-24 year olds in custody were assigned to the following regime levels: Basic - 58; Standard - 353; and Enhanced - 255.
