Written answers
Wednesday, 30 June 2010
Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform
Prison Committals
9:00 pm
Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 45: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the policy that applies when prisoners at the Dóchas Centre, Mountjoy Prison, Dublin, give birth; the period for which they may retain their babies while in prison; the arrangements that are put in place for children born in prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28360/10]
Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that prisoners in custody in the Dóchas Centre are generally granted temporary release, for the duration of their hospital stay, under the Criminal Justice Act 1960, as amended by the Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Act 2003. This discretionary instrument makes provision for the Minister to approve the temporary release of a sentenced prisoner in order to address humanitarian issues such as, in this instance, giving birth to a child.
Upon discharge from hospital the prisoner is returned to the Dóchas Centre to complete the remainder of her sentence and pursuant to Rule 17 of the Prison Rules 2007, the child may be admitted to the prison and remain with the mother in the prison until the child has reached twelve months of age. Only under exceptional circumstances can the child remain with the mother after the twelve month period has elapsed.
There is a considerable level of support available for mothers and babies in the Dóchas Centre. Provisions are made to facilitate new mothers keeping their infants with them in custody so as not to disrupt early bonding. Each mother and child are provided with their own single room with en-suite facilities on their return to the Dóchas Centre after giving birth. Required items such as a cot, baby food, nappies etc. are also provided.
There are currently four babies in the Dóchas Centre with their mothers.
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