Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 May 2020
370. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reduction in the prison population needed to ensure that there are adequate facilities available to deal with a possible outbreak of Covid-19 in the prison system; the criteria being used to determine Covid-19-related early releases to reduce overcrowding in the prison system; if this is purely risk based; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8132/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, Covid-19 provides unique challenges to custodial institutions, including our prisons. I have previously set out the wide range of measures adopted by the Irish Prison Service, to address the risk presented by Covid-19 in a prison environment.
Guided by the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and consistent with the prison specific guidance for the management of Covid-19 issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and guidance of the Council of Europe, measures introduced have included:
- The introduction of a basic health check, including taking of temperatures for all persons, including staff, entering prisons from 29 March;
- Suspension of physical family visits, replaced by the introduction of video visits;
- Quarantining for 14 days of all newly committed prisoners, in order to reduce the risk that a new committal who might be incubating the virus could spread Covid-19 to the general prison population;
- Isolation of suspected case or prisoner with symptoms to prevent the risk of transmission of infection;
- “cocooning” of vulnerable prisoners, including all prisoners aged 70 years or more or those who are deemed medically vulnerable;
- comprehensive training for IPS staff and the provision of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) across the prison estate;
- strong communication with staff and prisoners, including two prison newsletters published weekly and regular Covid-19 information leaflets for prisoners and newsletters for staff regarding actions taken; and
- establishment of a robust contract tracing model which has been acknowledged by the World Health Organization as best practice.
In addition and as the Deputy is aware, in March of this year, I approved actions to assist the Irish Prison Service in reducing the numbers of prisoners in custody.
In that context, the Irish Prison Service has been implementing measures to reduce the prison population, in order to ensure good infection control and to ensure that cells are available for the accommodation of any prisoner who may be required to isolate in accordance with guidance from the public health authorities.
In the first instance, the approach adopted included granting temporary release to low risk prisoners who were serving sentences of less than 12 months for non-violent offences. Subsequently, prisoners assessed as low risk who had less than 6 months to serve were also granted temporary release from some prisons.
I am informed that all prisoners granted temporary release were assessed on a case-by-case basis, utilising the existing criteria for temporary release. The primary factor in the consideration of any prisoner for early release remains public safety. Risks assessed included any convictions for domestic abuse, such as breach of barring orders which present significant risks at the present time. I am informed that other criteria taken into account include the nature and gravity of the offence, length of sentence served to date, prior record on temporary release, behaviour while in custody and previous criminal history.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the size of the prison population changes on a daily basis, as new committals and remands are made by the courts and releases occur as prisoners reach the end of their sentences. However, I am informed by the Irish Prison Service that the prison population has reduced from a total of 4,214 on 12 March 2020 to a total of 3,755 on 26 May 2020. This represents a reduction of 459 or approximately 11% over the period. The range of measures introduced has therefore meant that the occupancy in many prisons has been reduced in order to support infection control and isolation measures as much as possible.
As the Deputy will appreciate, prisoners are considered a particularly vulnerable group and an outbreak of Covid-19 would present significant challenges for prison management in terms of controlling the spread among other inmates and prison staff. However the strategy employed by the Irish Prison Service to control the risks arising during this pandemic has to date been successful, thanks to the detailed planning carried out and the cooperation and understanding of all concerned, including both staff and prisoners. I understand that, as of 26 May 2020, there has been no positive prisoner case of Covid-19 within the Irish prison service.
I understand that the Irish Prison Service continues to manage the risks and challenges faced in a prison context during the Covid-19 pandemic in line with public health guidelines. In doing so, it maintains a close working relationship with my Department, relevant criminal justice authorities, NPHET and the HSE.
