Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 100: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action he proposes to take following the recent publication of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture Report on Irish prisons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27346/07]

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 124: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the recent report of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture that found that many of the State's prisons were unsafe and degrading for both prisoners and staff; the steps he is taking to address the conditions highlighted in the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27364/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 124 together.

The Report of the Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT), on its visit to Ireland was published on the 10 October 2007, together with the response of the Government of Ireland to the issues raised by the CPT in that report. During the 2006 visit the delegation from the CPT visited a number of Garda stations, prisons and places of detention and the Central Mental Hospital.

As the Deputies will be aware the primary role of the CPT when conducting national visits is to draw attention to issues affecting persons in custody which can be improved upon. The visiting delegation indicated that the level of cooperation received during the visit from the Irish authorities was very good, both at central and local levels. In our response to the issues raised the Irish Government set out in quite an amount of detail the efforts made to deal with the range of issues which the report highlighted.

I am glad to advise the Deputies that action has been taken to address the prison related issues highlighted in the report which covered, inter alia, the lack of progress in over-hauling the 1947 prison rules; the need for more robust investigation of prisoner complaints about alleged ill-treatment; the poor physical conditions of some of our prisons leading to overcrowding and 'slopping out'; the existence of inter-prisoner violence and intimidation; the number of prisoners on 'protection'; the drugs situation and the need to improve and enhance regime activities for certain prisoners.

The following is an overview of the key developments:

(a)Prison accommodation: As indicated in the CPT report we recognise the necessity to modernise and expand the prison estate. That is why we have embarked on an ambitious prison building programme which, with the full support of the Government, will result in the replacement and/or refurbishment of nearly 40% of the entire prison estate and the ending of 'slopping out'. The proposed new prison complex at Thornton Hall which will replace the outdated Mountjoy complex will provide accommodation for 1,400 prisoners in a range of security settings with all the support facilities to enhance regime activities for prisoners and provide modern medical facilities as are fitting a modern prison environment. Other major works include the building of a new prison at Kilworth to serve the Munster region and the provision of additional accommodation at the following institutions: Shelton Abbey, Loughan House, Limerick, Wheatfield, Portlaoise and Castlerea.

(b)Prison Rules, 2007: The new prison rules were brought into effect from 1st October, 2007.

(c)Enhanced security measures in our prisons: In the Government's response to the CPT report on the question of inter-prisoner violence it was accepted that the CPT had rightly identified an emerging problem and that further measures are needed to deal with the issue. I can assure the Deputies that I am determined to deal with the issue in a proportionate manner by increasing our efforts to stem the flow of contraband items, such as drugs, weapons and mobile phones, which could assist in illegal activity. Indeed, as the Deputies will be aware significant efforts are made on a continuous basis by the prison authorities to stop contraband getting into our prisons, by for example, the installation of nets over exercise yards, vigilant observation of prisoners by staff, upgraded CCTV monitoring, the use of screened visits and prisoner and cell searches. New visiting arrangements are in place in all closed prisons whereby only persons who have been pre-approved by the Governor are permitted to visit.

I believe that technology offers the best solution to dealing with the problem of prisoners using mobile phones. The first phase of a pilot programme to inhibit the use of mobile phones in prisons has been completed in the Midlands Prison with the second phase of the pilot due to finish in the near future. I am glad to say that evaluation of the project thus far has shown positive results and, if confirmed, the inhibitors will be installed in all our closed prisons over an 18 to 24 month period. In addition, section 36 of the Prisons Act, 2007, effective from 1st May, 2007 makes it an offence for prisoners to have unauthorised possession of or use mobile telecommunications devices. Under the Act it is also an offence to supply such a device to a prisoner.

The implementation of the Drugs Policy entitled "Keeping Drugs out of Prisons by the Irish Prison Service" has seen an intensification of efforts to eliminate the availability of illicit drugs within the prisons. A significant element in this regard is the introduction of mandatory drug testing under the Prison Rules which became operational from 1st October, 2007. Facilities for screened visits have been installed in all closed prisons. In keeping with the Strategy prisoners in respect of whom the Governor is satisfied that there is no risk of contraband being passed may be facilitated with open visits. Prisoners who are caught receiving drugs or who test positive for drugs will be facilitated with screened visitsonly.

I am committed to supporting the Director General of the Irish Prison Service by providing additional resources to further enhance security within our prisons. I am confident that the recently announced package of additional security measures will make a significant difference to keeping contraband out of our prisons. These measures include: the establishment of a drug detection dog service within the Irish Prison Service; the establishment of an Operational Support Group dedicated to, and developing expertise in, searching and gathering intelligence; the introduction of enhanced security screening and searching of all persons (prisoners, visitors and staff) entering our prisons.

The Drug Detection Dog Service will involve approximately 30 staff and an appropriate number of dogs. The Deputy will be aware that a pilot drug detection dog service has been in place since 23 May 2006 and is currently running in the Midlands/Portlaoise area and also in Wheatfield/Cloverhill Prisons, the Mountjoy complex and Cork and Limerick Prisons.

The Operational Support Group will be available in addition to the normal prison staff and can target specific problem areas. They will also gather and collate intelligence information in their prison, carry out high profile escorts and assist the chief officer in charge of security in the continuing assessment and improvement of security.

In addition to the security measures, Drug Treatment Services to prisoners are also being significantly enhanced through the development of new services and programmes for addicted prisoners. These services are being delivered by the Irish Prison Service in partnership with community based services and contracted private services and supported by additional staffing for prison based Drug Treatment Teams. Security measures across our prisons will continue to be kept under review.