Dáil debates

Thursday, 8 March 2007

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage

 

11:00 am

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

I share completely the views the Deputy expressed about the current inspector. I very much admire Mr. Justice Kinlen and I am very grateful to him for all the work he has done as inspector of prisons. Anybody who argued that his job was lacking in independence need only look at the record to see that he is certainly not the cat's paw of any Minister or, in any sense, inhibited in what he says. He has served the country extremely well as inspector of prisons.

On the Deputy's amendment, I do not want to be in a situation whereby the legislation automatically puts the inspector into a position on the commencement of the new section. That is not appropriate in the circumstances but it is my hope that he will serve a further period in office as inspector.

The inspector's job is very important. There are aspects of the prison system and its management which need not simply inspection but radical reform. Things are happening in our prisons — one need only look at one's newspaper — which require dramatic change. It is important our system of inspection is robust and in a position to give the public a very clear picture of what is happening. However, inspection is not enough and change is needed.

Now that we have solved the overtime issue and are making decisions about infrastructure, we must get on with the business of humanising our prisons and turning them into rehabilitative places rather than purely punitive ones.

Undoubtedly, in many locations our prison system is so physically arranged as to be at best neutral and at worst helpful to the spread of crime, which is sad.

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