Seanad debates
Wednesday, 5 March 2003
Prison Visiting Committees: Motion.
Senator Terry correctly pointed out that the vast majority of members of these prison visiting committees do not live in close proximity to the prisons they visit; they live 200 or 300 miles away. Section 3(1)(a) of the 1925 legislation states that the fundamental task within the responsibility of the prison visiting committee is to hear any complaints that may be made by the prisoners. If I were a prisoner, would I be satisfied in having my complaint heard by a group of people who were appointed exclusively by the Government, who are in effect supporters of the Government? There is a natural opposition regime in respect of complaints made by prisoners. Will the Minister confirm in his reply if it is good enough that over the past five years just one complaint has been made by the 15 prison visiting committees?
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