Written answers

Thursday, 7 December 2006

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Crime Levels

7:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 70: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number and extent of criminal empires which are being run directly by its members while in prison; if such instances have been brought to his attention; if he has issued instructions or directives to counter same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42004/06]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 91: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of criminals currently serving prison sentences and who are believed to run their empires from within the prison; the action he proposes to take to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42216/06]

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 91 together.

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions No. 151 and 205 of 7 November, 2006 in which I indicated that I was aware of reports suggesting that prisoners are attempting criminal activities from inside prison cells. I again wish to assure the Deputy that I am committed to continuing to implement all appropriate measures to prevent the possibility of such activity and to ensure that the prisoner's contact with the outside world is tightly controlled and monitored in an appropriate way.

A number of measures have been implemented to prevent such activity. These include: controlling and monitoring of prisoner visits in all closed prisons. These visits are held in sight of prisoner officers and are monitored on CCTV; new visiting arrangements in most closed prisons. Only persons who have been pre-approved by the Governor are permitted to visit and all visitors must provide identification; closed visit capability; incoming and outgoing mail is subject to examination by a prison censor; random searches of cells and their occupants; searching of correspondence and all other items entering the prison; searching of all persons committed to custody. Searching also takes place of prisoners returning from court, temporary release or after visits or on receipt of intelligence; a number of trial tests on modern cameras and probe systems which assist in searching previously difficult areas such as hollow chair or bed legs, under floor boards and other cavities. Initial tests indicate that these new technologies may be a valuable asset in the detection of contraband; phone detectors. New hand-held metal detectors have been sourced and are in operation. In addition, existing walk-through detectors in use in a number of institutions are being upgraded and extended to other institutions.

The Deputy will also appreciate that the planned Prison Building Programme will make it more difficult for contraband items to get in to the prisons.

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