Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 46: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the measures being planned by the Irish Prison Service for the introduction of mobile phone jamming equipment; the reason this plan is necessary if adequate measures are in place to prevent the smuggling of mobile phones into prisons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34526/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to assure the Deputy that I am committed to implementing all appropriate measures to deal with the issue of mobile phones and other contraband being smuggled into Irish prisons.

One of the major challenges in prisons worldwide lies in preventing access to contraband items, including mobile phones, which for obvious reasons, are viewed as highly valuable commodities which could assist in illegal activity. Efforts are made on a continuous basis to prevent the flow of such contraband 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. In addition, 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 can also assure the Deputy that I am determined to deal with the problem of prisoners using mobile phones and, in this context, I believe that technology offers the best solution to dealing with the illegal use of mobile phones by prisoners. As informed by the Irish Prison Service, I can confirm that a pilot programme of mobile phone inhibition is ongoing in Midlands Prison and that early indications are that the technology is very successful. If the results of this preliminary evaluation hold true, the inhibitors will be installed in all the other closed prisons over an 18 to 24 month period. It is my belief that it is both appropriate and necessary to introduce mobile phone inhibitors into all our prisons. I believe that this inhibition technology offers the most effective solution for dealing with illegal use of mobile phones in prisons.

The Deputy will be aware that Section 36 of the Prisons Act 2007, which was brought into operation from 1 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 penalty for such an offence, on summary conviction, is a fine not exceeding €5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both, and on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding €10,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or both.

Random searches of cells and their occupants and searching of correspondence and other items entering the prison have all intercepted significant quantities of contraband in recent years. When a person is admitted to prison custody, he or she is searched and prohibited items and money are taken. Similarly, searching takes place of prisoners returning from court, temporary release or after visits. Searches of prisoners also take place where their behaviour or information received raises suspicions that they may be in possession of contraband. The Prison Service has recently purchased a number of cameras and probe systems which assist in searching previously difficult areas such as hollow chair or bed legs, u-bends in toilets, drain holes, under floor boards and other cavities. These new technologies are proving to be a valuable asset in this area. The planned new prison estates at Thornton Hall and Kilworth will also make it harder for contraband to enter the prison by locating recreation yards away from perimeter walls and having a cordon sanitaire.

As regards enhanced security, the Deputy will also be aware that earlier this year I announced a range of security measures aimed at keeping contraband out of our prisons. These measures include: the establishment of an Operational Support Group dedicated to, and developing expertise in, searching and gathering intelligence. The 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.

The Irish Prison Service is also enhancing these procedures through the introduction of a comprehensive "airport style" screening and search process in the closed prisons. This project is under way and it is hoped that it will be completed early next year. However, the introduction of these procedures are the subject of industrial action by the POA and, accordingly, it has not been possible to proceed with these measures to date.