Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

121. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the actions the Department will take to address the findings and recommendations contained in the recent interim report of the Inspector of Prisons on the Dóchas Centre; and in particular the actions that will be taken to address overcrowding in the prison. [53221/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I wish to advise the Deputy that on receipt of the interim report from the Inspector of Prisons I met with the Director General of the Irish Prison Service, Michael Donnellan, and discussed the content of the Report with him. The Director General assured me that the concerns raised by the Inspector will be dealt with. In particular, concerns raised in terms of the general maintenance of the Dóchas Centre and housekeeping matters have been addressed. In addition, a major refurbishment programme has been undertaken by the Irish Prison Service to upgrade kitchens and the reception area.

In April 2012, I published the Irish Prison Service 3 year Strategic Plan. This strategy sets out the overall high level objectives and key strategic actions the Irish Prison Service intends to take during the period 2012 to 2015. One of the commitments given in the Strategy is that the Irish Prison Service will work in partnership with the Probation Service and other stakeholders in the statutory, community and voluntary sectors in order to develop a strategy for dealing with women offenders. It is intended to align the capacity of our prisons with the guidelines laid down by the Inspector of Prisons by 2014, in so far as this is compatible with public safety and the integrity of the criminal justice system.

In this regard, I can advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service and Probation Service published a joint Strategic Plan for 2013-2015. Both agencies are working together to develop a strategy which ensures a more targeted response to women offenders including:

- identifying and diverting women at risk of a custodial sentence through greater use of community sanctions, supports and inter-agency co-operation;

- strengthening early intervention measures in the community through adopting a co-ordinated multi-agency approach;

- improving outcomes for women currently in custody;

- exploring the potentials of women centric alternatives to custody;

- development of a suitable step down facility for women offenders, a pathway such as this from the Dóchas Centre to the community would have a positive effect on reducing the numbers in the Dochas Centre;

- enhanced co-operation with the community and voluntary sector.

In addition in September 2012, I announced the establishment of a Working Group to conduct a Strategic Review of Penal Policy. In line with a recommendation of the Thornton Hall Review Group which reported in 2012, the Working Group has been asked to carry out an all encompassing strategic review of penal policy incorporating an examination and analysis of all aspects of penal policy including the issue of female prisoners. This Review is ongoing and the Working Group is expected to report early next year.