James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the Deputy's concern and thank him for raising this important issue.  I am assured that every effort has been made by the IPS to continue physical visits during this pandemic.  As the Deputy is aware, it was necessary to suspend physical visits to prisons, first in March and again in October, following public health guidance.  The service is acutely aware of the need for prisoners to maintain contact with their families and a new video visit system was introduced which has allowed families to continue to support those in custody. Feedback on the use of this system has been generally positive.  I understand that additional phone calls have been also been facilitated.

The IPS has announced arrangements to allow all those in custody to book a physical family visit between 16 December and 6 January.  Each prisoner will be entitled to one physical visit, limited to two people, which will be limited to 15 minutes in duration.  I understand this time limit is necessary to ensure that the maximum number of visits can be facilitated, having regard to the need to reduce the number of booths in use for distancing purposes and the need to fully sanitise surfaces between visitors.  All visitors will be behind clear screens and visitors and prisoners will be required to wear face masks at all times. No physical contact will be permitted. All visitors will also be subject to the Covid-19 screening procedures which have been in place since March and visitors are requested not to attend if they have any symptoms, if they have been in contact with a person who has gone for testing, if they themselves have tested positive for Covid and have yet to be cleared by their doctor or if they have been abroad in the preceding fortnight.

I understand that this is very difficult for the families concerned, particularly after such a difficult year.  However, the IPS has worked tirelessly to safeguard prisoners and staff and this continues to be the primary consideration.  We are all hoping next year will be a very different year but for now the IPS must continue to ensure that the prison population is protected from the virus and it is continuing to make use of alternative means of keeping prisoners and their families connected. Prisoners will continue to be able to avail of 20-minute video visits and additional daily phone calls are also being facilitated during the Christmas period.

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