Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 May 2022
609. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the number of drug overdoses which have taken place over the past five years in each institution in the Irish Prison Service in tabular form; and if she can provide details in the case of each if the outcome was fatal. [28000/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51.
As you will recall, the information you requested was not readily available at that time and the Minister undertook to respond to you as soon as possible with the relevant information. Please find a response to these questions provided below. I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that, having reviewed their systems, it is not possible to collate information in the format requested by the Deputy. The healthcare records of patients in the custody of the Irish Prison Service are recorded on the Prisoner Healthcare Management system (PHMS). The date and time of every healthcare intervention provided is recorded as part of a person's PHMS record. As the individual records are recorded in a narrative fashion, it is not possible to extract a report from PHMS to produce a summary of received medical treatment.
I can further advise the Deputy that where there is a fatality as a result of a drug overdose, an investigation is carried out by An Garda Siochána, the Office of the Inspector of Prisons, The Coroner’s Office and the Irish Prison Service. The fatality is recorded on the National Drug-Related Death Index (NDRDI) by the Health Research Board as part of the national reporting of drug deaths. In addition, the Irish Prison Service are engaging with the Health Research Board to examine how they currently interface with the Health Research Board and explore ways of enhancing and improving their reporting capability.
The Irish Prison Service has a number of longstanding treatment programmes for prisoners who present with substance abuse. The committal interview assessment initiates the modality and scope of treatment required, which can vary from a detoxification programme, to a stabilisation programme or a maintenance programme. All of these programmes are augmented by biopsychosocial counselling and motivational support.
In addition, the Irish Prison Service previously operated a National Drug Treatment Programme, which was located within the Medical Unit of Mountjoy Prison. This was an eight week programme that allowed prisoners to complete a methadone detoxification and engage in structured group work interventions which were provided by Coolmine, Ballymun Youth Action Project, Ana Liffey Drug Project and Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI). There were nine places available on this programme and any prisoner who wished to detoxify and address issues with addiction could seek admission to the programme. The programme included daily group work along with educational and fitness activities and participants were seen by an addiction counsellor for a weekly session.
The Programme was suspended on foot of the pandemic, however, in partnership with Merchants Quay Ireland, the programme was comprehensively reviewed and has recently recommenced and been renamed the Treatment and Recovery Programme (TARP).
Additionally, the Irish Prison Service has been an active member of the development of the National Drugs Strategy, “Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery” and the Service works in conjunction with the Department of Health and other statutory and voluntary partners in achieving the aims of this strategy. This also links in with the National Strategy on the elimination of Hepatitis C, with bespoke programmes within the Irish Prison Service leading to the identification and treatment of Hepatitis C amongst people who misuse substances.
All of the work on supporting and treating people who misuse substances in prison is aimed at maintaining a continuum of care with community services on release from prison.
Finally, the Prison Service participates in a peer to peer overdose prevention programme with the Irish Red Cross. This programme runs throughout the year but with increased awareness campaigns at certain times, for example at Christmas.
I trust this information is of assistance.
I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from the Irish Prison Service, however, the information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
