Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
1425. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice if a risk assessment was carried out before a person (details supplied) was brought into a wing in Mountjoy Prison; if so, the details of that risk assessment; and the length of time that it took for staff to respond to the alarm that was raised when the attack on the person was brought to light. [43217/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that all prisoners on committal to prison, receive a comprehensive risk assessment.
On arrival in prison, all prisoners are brought to the reception / committal unit of the prison, where there is an opportunity to provide details as part of the committal interview process.
The Governor will consider the risks posed including any risk to the prisoner themselves and any level of risk to other prisoners. This risk assessment will determine the regime necessary to ensure the safety of all prisoners.
In such cases, the Governor may also make a recommendation on the appropriate placement within the prison system, taking into consideration good order, security and operational issues, protection issues, available accommodation and the healthcare needs of the prisoner as well as the safety and security of other prisoners and staff.
On occasion, it is necessary for vulnerable prisoners and others to be separated from the general prison population for their safety. This is provided for 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.
I wish to inform the Deputy that the specific case raised is the subject of ongoing investigations by An Garda Síochána and the Office of the Inspector of Prisons. The Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment while there are investigations ongoing.
