Lynn Ruane (Independent) | Oireachtas source

First, I would like to note the reports from the Minister, Deputy O’Gorman’s Department this morning in relation to the recent debate in this Chamber on care and those who have experienced the care system. In addition, I tabled a Commencement matter specifically on the issue that was announced this morning, where the Department and the Minister have launched the largest ever research and data collection project on those who have experienced care, which is a direct suggestion from the Ryan report in 2009.I am glad to see that. I look forward to continuing to support the work of the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, in making sure that this is life-changing research that fixes a broken system.

Second, Senators may see in their Oireachtas email accounts that I have sent around a survey about conceptions, biases, insights or myths that people may have about those who are in prison or have been in prison. I encourage Senators to fill in the survey. It comes directly from a prisoner, although I do not like describing people as prisoners because it is kind of dehumanising. While I cannot give the details yet, I am working on a creative project in the prison system, in Wheatfield Prison. One of the suggestions for the project came from one of the men there. He said that I cannot really ask the right questions, which was insightful because he is right. He said I did not go into the system with bias or judgment because I am so used to working in these systems and living with people who had experienced prison. He said that for them to really engage in the creative project with me, the prisoners would need to understand the biases people have, whether unconscious or conscious, and the preconceived ideas people might have about people who have gone to prison and what the prison system is actually for.

The survey in Members' inboxes and the questions were written and developed by another man in the prison to gather some ideas. The survey is completely anonymous, so I ask Senators not to answer with a political hat on but to do so on the basis of what they think about people who are in prison and why and for what they might be there. This will form part of a positive piece of work we are doing in the prisons. I will hopefully be able to relay it back to the Chamber in a couple of months. I encourage Members to support the work I am doing.