I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that the number of prisoners who had their regime restricted for discipline reasons from November 2013 - November 2015 was 22. The breakdown by age profile is set out in the table beneath.
As the Deputy may be aware the restriction of a prisoner's regime can occur due to a number of factors but is mainly used for the protection of vulnerable prisoners (Rule 63 of the Prison Rules 2007) and to a lesser extent for the maintenance of good order in the prison (Rule 62). There are also occasions when a prisoner may have their regime restricted for a short duration of time for operational or medical reasons(Rule 64). In addition, a small number of prisoners would, on occasion, have their regime restricted for discipline reasons (Rule 66/ Rule 67). A quarterly breakdown of prisoners on restricted regime is published on the Irish Prison Service Website
(www.irishprisons.ie)
Table 1. Breakdown of Age Groups
Age Group
|
Total
|
18 - 20 Years Old
|
2
|
21 - 25 Years Old
|
9
|
26 Years +
|
11
|
Total
|
22
|
The sanctions for a breach of prison discipline are set out in Section 13 (1) of the Prisons Act 2007. Section 13 (1)c sets out that a prisoner who is found by the prison Governor to have committed a breach of prison discipline may be confined in a cell (other than a special observations cell) for a period not exceeding 3 days.
The imposition of a sanction is taken following a disciplinary hearing held by the Governor under Rule 67 of the Prison Rules 2007.