Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 May 2018
301. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of adult prisoners who select on a daily basis to be held in single separation by prison in March 2015 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23740/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that data in relation to the number of prisoners who are placed on a restricted regime at their own request is not collated in the exact format requested. However the statistics concerning prisoners on restricted regimes are collated by the Irish Prison Service Statistics Unit for publication quarterly on its website (www.irishprisons.ie). The information can be found in the Information Centre – under Statistics & Information – Census Reports.
Under Rule 63 of the Prison Rules 2007 a prisoner may, either at his/her own request or when the Governor considers it necessary, in so far as is practicable and subject to the maintenance and good order and safe and secure custody, be kept separate from other prisoners who are reasonably likely to cause significant harm to him/her.
The fact that prisoners seeking protection are immediately separated from the general population or from specific prisoners identified as presenting a threat, clearly demonstrates the commitment of the Irish Prison Service to ensure their safety and security. If possible, prisoners can be transferred to other institutions where a restricted regime would not be necessary.
The Prison Rules 2007 provide that the imposition of a restricted regime is closely monitored by the Irish Prison Service and the status of each prisoner on restricted regime within the prison system is regularly reviewed.
