Written answers
Thursday, 26 February 2015
Department of Justice and Equality
Prisoner Data
Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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109. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons in prison, and the number in each institution; the number of prisoners not held in single cells, or rooms; and the number of these in each institution. [8590/15]
Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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110. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons aged from 18 to 20, inclusive, in prison, and the number in each institution; the number not held in single cells, or rooms; and the number of these in each institution. [8591/15]
Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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111. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons aged from 18 to 20, inclusive, in Wheatfield Place of Detention, being held under sentence, or remand, under the legislation; the number not held in single cells, or rooms; and the number of these in each institution. [8592/15]
Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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112. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons aged 21 to 24, inclusive, in prison, and the number in each institution; the number not held in single cells, or rooms, and the number of these in each institution. [8593/15]
Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 109 to 112, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy may be aware the Irish Prison Service collates and publishes statistical data on a monthly and a quarterly basis. This information is available on the Irish Prison Service website www.irishprisons.ie.
According to the snapshot of the prison population taken on 31 January, 2015 there were 3,706 prisoners in custody. Of this 201 were aged 18-20 and 533 were aged 21-24. A breakdown of their location is set out in table 1.
Information on the cell occupancy is included in the Irish Prison Service quarterly statistics report on the prison population. While a breakdown of cell occupancy in each prison is included in this report, the breakdown does not include an age profile therefore it is not possible to provide details of the number of 18 to 24 years old that are accommodated in single cells.
I can advise that on the 14th of January 2015 there were 3,661 prisoners in custody. Of this 2,109 or 58% were accommodated in single cells. A detailed breakdown of cell occupancy by institution is set out in table 2.
Table 1. Prisoner Aged 18-20 and 21-24 by Location
Prison | 18-20 | 21-24 | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Arbour Hill Prison | 0 | 8 | 8 |
Castlerea Prison | 26 | 52 | 78 |
Cloverhill Remand Prison | 32 | 46 | 78 |
Cork Prison | 20 | 38 | 58 |
Limerick Prison (Female) | 2 | 3 | 5 |
Limerick Prison (Male) | 6 | 51 | 57 |
Loughan House Place Of Detn. | 1 | 21 | 22 |
Midlands Prison | 34 | 88 | 122 |
Mountjoy Prison (Female) | 3 | 8 | 11 |
Mountjoy Prison (Male) | 9 | 101 | 110 |
Portlaoise Prison | 3 | 33 | 36 |
Shelton Abbey Place Of Detn. | 0 | 9 | 9 |
Training Unit Place Of Detn. | 2 | 8 | 10 |
Wheatfield Place of Detention | 63 | 67 | 130 |
Total | 201 | 533 | 734 |
Table 2. Cell Occupancy by Location
Prison | Number in Custody 14 January 2015 | No of prisoners in single cell | No of prisoners in double cell | No of prisoners in triple cell | No of prisoners in 4+ cells |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Arbour Hill | 138 | 94 | 38 | 6 | 0 |
Cloverhill | 350 | 55 | 116 | 171 | 8 |
Cork | 221 | 59 | 162 | 0 | 0 |
Castlerea | 290 | 162 | 128 | 0 | 0 |
Limerick | 237 | 107 | 130 | 0 | 0 |
Loughan | 108 | 96 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
Midlands | 786 | 381 | 388 | 9 | 8 |
Mountjoy (M) | 531 | 531 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Mountjoy (F) | 103 | 79 | 24 | 0 | 0 |
Portlaoise | 224 | 141 | 74 | 9 | 0 |
St Patrick's | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Shelton Abbey | 108 | 37 | 12 | 6 | 53 |
Training Unit | 90 | 90 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Wheatfield | 470 | 272 | 198 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 3,661 | 2,109 | 1,282 | 201 | 69 |
Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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113. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the numbers of prisoners aged 18 to 20, inclusive, in custody in each institution; the number, required to slop out; to use normal toilet facilities in the presence of others; who are occupants of a cell that has normal flush toilet installed, or have access, at all times, to normal toilet facilities. [8594/15]
Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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114. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the numbers of prisoners aged 21 to 24, inclusive, in custody in each institution; the number required, to slop out; to use normal toilet facilities in the presence of others; who are sole occupants of a cell that has normal flush toilet installed, or have access, at all times, to normal toilet facilities. [8595/15]
Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 114 together.
As the Deputy may be aware the Irish Prison Service collates and publishes statistical data on a monthly and a quarterly basis. This information is available on the Irish Prison Service website www.irishprisons.ie.
According to the snapshot of the prison population taken on 31 January, 2015 there were 3,706 prisoners in custody. Of this 201 were aged 18-20 and 533 were aged 21-24. A breakdown of their location is set out in table 1.
Information on in-cell sanitation is included in the Irish Prison Service quarterly statistics report on the prison population. While a breakdown of in-cell sanitation in each prison is included in this report, the breakdown does not include an age profile.
I can advise that on the 14th of January 2015 there were 3,661 prisoners in custody. Of this;
- 2,105 or 58% of prisoners were in a single cell with a flush toilet or had access to toilet facilities in private at all times.
- 1,252 or 34% of prisoners were required to use the toilet in the presence of another prisoner.
- 304 or 8% of prisoners were required to slop out.
An overview of in-cell sanitation by institution is set out in table 2.
Table 1. Prisoner Aged 18-20 and 21-24 by Institution
Prison | 18-20 | 21-24 | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Arbour Hill Prison | 0 | 8 | 8 |
Castlerea Prison | 26 | 52 | 78 |
Cloverhill Remand Prison | 32 | 46 | 78 |
Cork Prison | 20 | 38 | 58 |
Limerick Prison (Female) | 2 | 3 | 5 |
Limerick Prison (Male) | 6 | 51 | 57 |
Loughan House | 1 | 21 | 22 |
Midlands Prison | 34 | 88 | 122 |
Mountjoy Prison (Female) | 3 | 8 | 11 |
Mountjoy Prison (Male) | 9 | 101 | 110 |
Portlaoise Prison | 3 | 33 | 36 |
Shelton Abbey | 0 | 9 | 9 |
Training Unit | 2 | 8 | 10 |
Wheatfield Place of Detention | 63 | 67 | 130 |
Total | 201 | 533 | 734 |
Table 2. In-cell sanitation by Institution
Prison | Number in Custody 14 Jan 2015 | No in-cellsanitation | Toilet in other presence | 24 hour access to toilet facilities in private |
---|---|---|---|---|
Arbour Hill Prison | 138 | 0 | 44 | 94 |
Castlerea Prison | 350 | 0 | 295 | 55 |
Cloverhill Remand Prison | 221 | 214 | 0 | 7 |
Cork Prison | 290 | 0 | 128 | 162 |
Limerick Prison (Female) | 237 | 41 | 99 | 97 |
Limerick Prison (Male) | 108 | 0 | 0 | 108 |
Loughan House | 786 | 0 | 405 | 381 |
Midlands Prison | 531 | 0 | 0 | 531 |
Mountjoy Prison (Female) | 103 | 0 | 0 | 103 |
Mountjoy Prison (Male) | 224 | 49 | 83 | 92 |
Portlaoise Prison | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
Shelton Abbey | 108 | 0 | 0 | 108 |
Training Unit | 90 | 0 | 0 | 90 |
Wheatfield Place of Detention | 470 | 0 | 198 | 272 |
Total | 3,661 | 304 | 1,252 | 2,105 |
Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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115. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the numbers of prisoners aged 18 to 20, inclusive, in custody in each institution; and the number under protection. [8596/15]
Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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116. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the numbers of prisoners aged 21 to 24, inclusive, in custody in each institution; the number under protection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8597/15]
Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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117. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the total numbers of prisoners, in each institution, who are locked up in a normal day, for 23 hours or more; 22 to 23 hours; 20 to 22 hours; 18 to 20 hours; 16 to 18 hours; 14 to 16 hours; less than 14 hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8598/15]
Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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118. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the total numbers of prisoners, aged 18 to 20, inclusive, in each institution, who are locked up in a normal day, for 23 hours or more; 22 to 23 hours; 20 to 22 hours; 18 to 20 hours; 16 to 18 hours; 14 to 16 hours; less than 14 hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8599/15]
Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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119. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the total numbers of prisoners, aged 21 to 24, inclusive, in each institution, who are locked up in a normal day, for 23 hours or more; 22 to 23 hours; 20 to 22 hours; 18 to 20 hours; 16 to 18 hours; 14 to 16 hours; for less than 14 hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8600/15]
Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 115 to 119, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy may be aware the Irish Prison Service collates and publishes statistical data on a monthly and quarterly basis. This information is available on the Irish Prison Service website www.irishprisons.ie.
According to the snapshot of the prison population taken on 31 January, 2015 there were 3,706 prisoners in custody. Of this 201 were aged 18-20 and 533 were aged 21-24. A breakdown of their location is set out in table 1.
Information on prisoners on restricted regimes is included in the Irish Prison Service quarterly statistics report on the prison population. Restricted regime is define by the Irish Prison Service as those prisoners whose daily out of cell time is restricted to less than 5 hours i.e. they are locked up for more than 19 hours per day.
I can advise that on the 14th of January 2015 there were 3,661 prisoners in custody. Of this there were 300 prisoners had there regime/out of cell time restricted. A detailed breakdown by institution and restriction is set out in Table 2.
I can advise the Deputy that of the 300 on restricted regime 23 were aged 18- 20 and 64 were aged 21-24. A breakdown of these groups are set out in Table 3 and Table 4.
The restriction of a prisoner's regime can occur due to a number of factors including, the protection of vulnerable prisoners. 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.
In July 2013, the Director General of the Irish Prison Service established a high level group to look at measures which can be introduced to reduce the number of prisoners currently held on restricted regimes with a view to ensuring that all receive, as a minimum standard, out of cell time of 3 hours per day, to engage in exercise or activity.
Table 1. Prisoner Aged 18-20 and 21-24 by Location
Prison | 18-20 | 21-24 | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Arbour Hill Prison | 0 | 8 | 8 |
Castlerea Prison | 26 | 52 | 78 |
Cloverhill Remand Prison | 32 | 46 | 78 |
Cork Prison | 20 | 38 | 58 |
Limerick Prison (Female) | 2 | 3 | 5 |
Limerick Prison (Male) | 6 | 51 | 57 |
Loughan House Place Of Detn. | 1 | 21 | 22 |
Midlands Prison | 34 | 88 | 122 |
Mountjoy Prison (Female) | 3 | 8 | 11 |
Mountjoy Prison (Male) | 9 | 101 | 110 |
Portlaoise Prison | 3 | 33 | 36 |
Shelton Abbey Place Of Detn. | 0 | 9 | 9 |
Training Unit Place Of Detn. | 2 | 8 | 10 |
Wheatfield Place of Detention | 63 | 67 | 130 |
Total | 201 | 533 | 734 |
Table 2. Prisoners on Restricted Regime
Prison | Total | No. On 23Hr | No. On 22hr | No. On 21hr | No. On 20hr | No. On 19hr |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Arbour Hill | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Castlerea | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Cloverhill | 11 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Cork | 21 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
Dochas | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Limerick | 61 | 0 | 0 | 61 | 0 | 0 |
Loughan House | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Midlands | 29 | 0 | 28 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Mountjoy (M) | 91 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 83 |
Portlaoise | 22 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 17 |
Shelton Abbey | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
St Pats | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Training Unit | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Wheatfield | 65 | 7 | 0 | 54 | 0 | 4 |
Totals | 300 | 22 | 35 | 125 | 1 | 117 |
Table 3. Restricted Regime 18-20 Year Old Cohort
Prison | No. on 19 hrs | No. on 21 hrs | No. on 22 hrs | No. on 23 hrs | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cloverhill | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Limerick | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Midlands | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
Mountjoy | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Portlaoise | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Wheatfield | 0 | 14 | 0 | 1 | 15 |
Total | 1 | 17 | 3 | 2 | 23 |
Table 4. Restricted Regime 21-24 Year Old Cohort
Prison | No. on 19 hrs | No. on 21 hrs | No. on 22 hrs | No. on 23 hrs | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cloverhill | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
Cork | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
Limerick | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
Midlands | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
Mountjoy | 22 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
Portlaoise | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
Wheatfield | 0 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 10 |
Total | 31 | 24 | 2 | 7 | 64 |
Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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120. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the numbers of prisoners aged 18 to 20, inclusive, in each institution; the annual cost, per person, of this age group detained; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8601/15]
Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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121. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the numbers of prisoners, aged 21 to 24, inclusive, in each institution; the annual cost, per person, of this age group detained; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8602/15]
Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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122. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the numbers of sentenced prisoners, in total, aged 18 to 20, inclusive, in each institution; the annual cost, per person, of this age group detained; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8603/15]
Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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123. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the numbers of sentenced prisoners, aged 21 to 24, inclusive, in each institution; the annual cost, per person, of this age group detained; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8604/15]
Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I can advise the Deputy that according to the most recent snapshot of the prison population taken on 31 January 2015 there were 734 prisoners in custody aged 18-24, of these 620 prisoners were sentenced.
A detailed breakdown per institution is set out in the tables below.
The Irish Prison Service does not collate annual costs associated with specific age groups of prisoners. However, the Prison Service does calculate the average annual cost of an available staffed prison space. For 2013, the latest year for which a figure is available, the cost was €65,542.
Once finalised, the 2014 figures will be published on the Irish Prison Service website.
Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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124. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality of those aged 18 to 20, inclusive, in prison, and in Wheatfield Place of Detention, the county from which they originate, prior to detention; if she will list which prison they are in; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8605/15]
Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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125. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality of those aged 21 to 24, inclusive, in prison, and in Wheatfield Place of Detention, the county from which they originate, prior to detention; if she will list which prison they are in; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8606/15]
Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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126. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality of those aged 18 to 20, inclusive, in prison, and in Wheatfield Place of Detention, the offences for which they are being detained; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8607/15]
Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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127. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality of those aged 21 to 24, inclusive, in prison, the offences for which they are being detained; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8608/15]
Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 124 to 127, inclusive, together.
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following tables and is based on the snapshot of the prison population taken on the 31 January, 2015.
Table 1: Establishment by Age of Offender
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Total Arbour Hill Prison 0 0 0 4 2 0 2 8 Castlerea Prison 2 9 15 14 12 12 14 78 Cloverhill Remand Prison 6 9 17 13 8 17 8 78 Cork Prison 5 5 10 7 13 10 8 58 Limerick Prison (Female) 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 5 Limerick Prison (Male) 1 1 4 12 12 14 13 57 Loughan House 0 1 0 2 4 9 6 22 Midlands Prison 5 8 21 15 26 22 25 122 Mountjoy Prison (Female) 1 0 2 1 4 1 2 11 Mountjoy Prison (Male) 0 1 8 17 29 27 28 110 Portlaoise Prison 0 0 3 6 10 7 10 36 Shelton Abbey 0 0 0 3 2 1 3 9 Training Unit Place Of Detention 0 0 2 2 4 1 1 10 Wheatfield Place of Detention 19 21 23 17 20 13 17 130 Total 39 56 106 114 146 135 138 734
Table 2: County of Origin by Age of Offender
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Total Carlow 0 0 1 0 3 1 1 6 Cavan 0 0 0 1 1 2 2 6 Clare 1 4 1 5 4 6 4 25 Cork 2 5 8 11 11 9 14 60 Donegal 0 1 3 1 2 1 1 9 Dublin 11 18 39 50 59 43 48 268 Fermanagh 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 Galway 1 4 8 2 7 4 5 31 Kerry 4 1 3 2 5 2 5 22 Kildare 2 1 4 3 6 5 6 27 Kilkenny 0 1 0 1 2 2 1 7 Laois 2 0 1 2 1 2 2 10 Leitrim 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 2 Limerick 3 0 5 10 10 11 15 54 Longford 0 0 1 2 1 0 3 7 Louth 3 1 1 2 5 5 6 23 Mayo 0 2 1 4 4 2 0 13 Meath 5 2 2 1 3 6 3 22 Monaghan 0 0 1 1 0 3 0 5 No Fixed Abode 1 3 8 0 4 6 2 24 Offaly 0 2 4 0 2 2 2 12 Outside Country 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 Roscommon 0 0 1 0 1 0 3 5 Sligo 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 4 Tipperary 0 1 3 5 2 7 5 23 Tyrone 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 Waterford 0 2 4 3 1 4 2 16 Westmeath 1 1 4 1 1 1 1 10 Wexford 0 3 0 2 7 4 2 18 Wicklow 2 2 3 3 3 5 4 22 Total 39 56 106 114 146 135 138 734
Table 3: Offence Group Description by Age of Offender
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Total Homicide Offences 1 0 2 5 9 9 11 37 Sexual Offences 1 0 8 7 7 2 10 35 Attempts/Threat to Murder, Assaults and Related Offences 8 14 19 22 24 25 28 140 Dangerous or Negligent Acts 0 3 7 7 18 6 4 45 Kidnapping and Related Offences 2 3 1 2 2 0 3 13 Robbery, Extortion and Hijacking Offences 1 1 4 3 5 5 6 25 Burglary and Related Offences 8 6 9 12 14 15 20 84 Theft and Related Offences 12 18 33 27 38 42 24 194 Fraud, Deception and Related Offences 0 2 0 0 1 1 0 4 Controlled Drug Offences 1 2 4 7 6 9 13 42 Weapons and Explosives Offences 0 1 4 6 8 5 9 33 Damage to Property and the Environment 2 5 6 8 3 6 5 35 Public Order and Social Code Offences 0 0 2 2 5 3 2 14 Road and Traffic Offences 1 0 1 2 0 2 0 6 Offences re Government, Justice Procedures and Organisation of Crime 2 0 4 3 5 1 2 17 Offences Not Elsewhere Classified 0 1 2 1 1 4 1 10 Total 39 56 106 114 146 135 138 734
Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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128. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of those aged 18 to 20, inclusive, in prison, and in Wheatfield Place of Detention, engaged in education, in any given day; the median number of hours engaged per week, Monday to Friday, inclusive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8609/15]
Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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129. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of those, aged 18 to 20, inclusive, in prison, and in Wheatfield Place of Detention, engaged in training, in any given day; the median number of hours engaged per week, Monday to Friday, inclusive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8610/15]
Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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130. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of those, aged 18 to 20, inclusive, in prison, and in Wheatfield Place of Detention, engaged in work, in any given day; the median number of hours engaged per week, Monday to Friday, inclusive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8611/15]
Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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131. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of those, aged 21 to 24, inclusive, in prison, and in Wheatfield Place of Detention, engaged in education, in any given day; the median number of hours engaged per week, Monday to Friday, inclusive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8612/15]
Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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132. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of those, aged 21 to 24, inclusive, in prison, and in Wheatfield Place of Detention, engaged in training, in any given day; the median number of hours engaged per week, Monday to Friday, inclusive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8613/15]
Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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133. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of those, aged 21 to 24, inclusive, in prison, and in Wheatfield Place of Detention, engaged in work, in any given day; the median number of hours engaged per week, Monday to Friday, inclusive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8614/15]
Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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134. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of those, aged 18 to 20, inclusive, in prison, and in Wheatfield Place of Detention, not engaged in training, education, or work, in any given day, due to its unavailability, Monday to Friday, inclusive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8615/15]
Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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135. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of those, aged 21 to 24, inclusive, in prison, and in Wheatfield Place of Detention, not engaged in training, education, or work, in any given day, due to its unavailability, Monday to Friday, inclusive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8616/15]
Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to answer Questions Nos. 128 to 135, inclusive, together.
I can advise the Deputy that according to the most recent snapshot of the prison population taken on 31 January 2015 there were 734 prisoners in custody aged 18-24.
I am informed by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that records of prisoner participation in vocational training and education programmes are not maintained in such a way as to provide the specific information sought by the Deputy.
Broad programmes of education are provided which generally follow an adult education approach. Prison education includes a core element of basic education incorporating reading, writing, numeracy and IT literacy. The aim of the Education Service is to deliver a high quality, broad, flexible programme of education that helps prisoners cope with their sentence, achieve personal development, prepare for life after release and establish an appetite and capacity for life-long learning. Programmes are adapted to take account of the diversity of the prisoner population and the complex nature of prison life, including segregation requirements and high levels of prisoner turnover.
Educational services are available at all institutions and are provided in partnership with the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and a range of other educational agencies.The Department of Education and Skills provides an allocation of whole-time teacher equivalents to the prisons through the ETBs (220 in the academic year 2014/15). Organisations who provide in-reach education roles include Open University, the Samaritans, the Red Cross, Grow, Toe by Toe, Writers and Artists in prison etc. Other courses run through the education centres include pre-release programmes, parenting, hairdressing, Alternatives to Violence etc.
I can inform the Deputy that in November 2014, the latest month for which figures are available, 46.3% of the total prisoner population attended education classes during this time. January figures have not been collated yet and in December industrial action by teachers - combined with the holiday period - do not give an accurate representation of prisoner engagement. With regard to Wheatfield, on average 27% of the prisoner population engaged with education services on a daily basis in November 2014. A breakdown by age of those who attended is not available.
The Irish Prison Service has also been expanding the number of accredited courses and opportunities available to prisoners in Work Training in recent years. Enhanced partnership arrangements with accrediting bodies such as City and Guilds, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), and the Guild of Launders and Cleaners and the centralising of coordination and quality assurance arrangements have enabled us to extend the number of available courses and activities with certification.
Prisoners involved in work and training activities may do so with a view to gaining accreditation in a particular area or in order to keep busy during their sentence. Engagement in vocational training can have added benefits in the form of boosting self-confidence, imparting useful practical skills and improving social skills. On any given day, prisoners work in areas such as the laundry, kitchens, horticultural or gardening, industrial cleaning, waste management and picture framing shops where the labour they provide can be of benefit to the effective running of the prison and for which they may or may not receive accreditation.
I can inform the Deputy that in November 2014, the latest month for which figures are available for prisoner participation in work and training (accredited and non-accredited), 27.83% of the total prisoner population attended workshop sessions. During this time the workshops were open for approximately 82% average of scheduled opening hours. With regard to Wheatfield In November 27.60% of the prisoner population attended workshop sessions with an average attendance per session of 133.46 prisoners. A breakdown by age of those who attended is not available.
The development of prisoner programmes forms a central part of the new Irish Prison Service Three Year Strategic Plan 2012 - 2015. There is a clear commitment in the Strategy to enhance sentence planning including Integrated Sentence Management and the delivery of prison based rehabilitative programmes such as education, work training and resettlement programmes.
Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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136. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of those aged 18 to 20, inclusive, in prison, and those in Wheatfield Place of Detention, who are in basic regime; the number in standard regime; the number in enhanced regime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8617/15]
Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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137. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of those aged 21 to 24, inclusive, in prison, and in Wheatfield Place of Detention, who are in basic regime; the number in standard regime; the number in enhanced regime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8618/15]
Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 136 and 137 together.
I can inform the Deputy that the Incentivised Regimes Policy was introduced on a phased basis across all prisons in 2012 and is now operational in all institutions. Incentivised Regimes provides for a differentiation of privileges between prisoners according to their level of engagement with services and quality of behaviour. The objective is to provide tangible incentives to prisoners to participate in structured activities and to reinforce good behaviour, leading to a safer and more secure environment.
There are three levels of privilege - basic, standard and enhanced and each prison has developed an information booklet on how the scheme operates and specifically on the criteria and privileges associated with each level of regime.
Prisoners on the enhanced regime level are significantly more likely to benefit from temporary release programmes such as Community Return – where prisoners are released early under Probation Supervision to partake of voluntary work for the benefit of the community – and/or transfer to an open centre. These are significant motivational factors in encouraging prisoners to engage in authorised structured activities and improve general behaviour. The hope is that these benefits are not just apparent in prisons and that the behavioural change effected will stay with the prisoner on his release. Experience in other jurisdictions has shown that an incentivised regime structure is a hugely valuable addition to prisons in the context of good order and prisoner compliance.
The standard set of core privileges provided in each prison comprises of different levels of daily gratuity ranging from €0.95 to €2.20, the number and length of visits a prisoner is allowed to receive and the number of telephone calls a prisoner is allowed to make. Each prison has drawn up a list of privileges available under each regime level. The list of available privileges is likely to vary between prisons and within different areas of a prison, depending on the operational and infrastructure requirements of each prison. Examples of other incentives offered include improved accommodation (e.g. move from dormitory accommodation to a single room in an open centre). In the past, access to facilities such as DVD players, games consoles have been provided. Prisoners can also gain access to employment opportunities within the prison e.g. kitchens, laundries etc.
I can advise the Deputy that on 24 February 2015, 18-20 year olds in custody were assigned to the following regime levels: Basic - 27; Standard - 148; and, Enhanced - 72. On the same date, 21-24 year olds in custody were assigned to the following regime levels: Basic - 58; Standard - 353; and Enhanced - 255.
Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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138. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of those aged 18 to 20, inclusive, in prison, and in Wheatfield Place of Detention, who have been assaulted while in detention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8619/15]
Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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139. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of those aged 21 to 24, inclusive, in prison, and in Wheatfield Place of Detention, who have been assaulted while in detention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8620/15]
Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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140. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of those aged 18 to 20, inclusive, in prison, and in Wheatfield Place of Detention, who have assaulted a prison officer, other member of prison staff or another prisoner while in detention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8621/15]
Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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141. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of those aged 21 to 24, inclusive, in prison, and in Wheatfield Place of Detention, who have assaulted a prison officer, other member prison staff or another prisoner while in detention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8622/15]
Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 138 to 141, inclusive, together.
I can advise the Deputy that the information requested is not readily available. I will forward the reply to the Deputy as soon as the information is to hand.
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