Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 586: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of prisoners in solitary confinement, that is, in padded cells, in 2003, 2004 and to date. [22096/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table. Isolation Cell Usage — Breakdown by Prison. The following figures relate to the number of instances where it has been necessary to transfer a prisoner to an isolation cell. If the same prisoner has had to be transferred to an isolation cell more than once in a given year, each incident is recorded separately.

The use of such cells occurs only when a secure, safe place is required where prisoners can remain under special observation with minimal opportunity to cause damage to themselves or to others. It is important to note that these cells are not used for routine detention or punishment purposes.

As the Deputy is aware, I previously gave a commitment to abolish the use of old-style padded cells in our prisons. An implementation group set up in the prison service to determine the most appropriate design for future special observation cells and other related matters has completed its deliberations. A total of six cells based on two different designs recommended by the implementation group have been completed and are in use in Cloverhill Prison. Work is also at an advanced stage on modifications in line with the recommendations in Mountjoy Prison, Castlerea Prison and St. Patrick's Institution. Further work will take place in the other prisons on a phased basis continuing into next year.