Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 416: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress made to date on the installation of technology in prisons to block the use by prisoners, of mobile phones; the companies that have been engaged in this regard; the specifications of the technology in question; the cost thereof; the projected completion date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7613/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that Section 36 of the Prisons Act 2007, which was brought into operation from the 1st May 2007, makes it an offence for prisoners to have unauthorised possession of or to use mobile telecommunications devices. Under the Act, it is also an offence to supply such a device to a prisoner.

One of the major challenges in prisons worldwide lies in preventing access to or use of mobile phones by prisoners. Efforts are made on a continuous basis to prevent prisoners obtaining or using mobile phones. Such efforts include the installation of nets over exercise yards, vigilant observation of prisoners by staff, extensive CCTV monitoring, the use of screened visits and prisoner and cell searches.

I would like to assure the Deputy that I am determined to deal with the problem of prisoners using mobile phones to maintain illicit contact with the outside world. As I have already indicated to the House, I believe that technology offers the only real answer to dealing with the problem.

I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the third and final phase of the installation of a pilot scheme of mobile phone inhibition at the Midlands Prison is almost complete. Following the successful completion of the pilot project, roll-out will commence across the prison estate.

The Deputy will, I am sure, appreciate that for security and commercial reasons it would be inappropriate for me to put the names of any company with which we have been in contact into the public domain at this point. Furthermore, I cannot divulge technical details of the inhibitors or the costs of the pilot scheme at this juncture.

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 417: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress made to date on upgrading security at Wheatfield, Mountjoy and Cloverhill jails; the amount spent to date on each upgrade project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7614/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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A number of new security initiatives are shortly being introduced in all closed prisons aimed at eliminating the trafficking of contraband. These measures include:

The introduction of enhanced security screening for all persons (prisoners, visitors and staff) entering our prisons.

The establishment of a drug detection dog service within the Irish Prison Service involving approximately 30 handling teams.

The establishment of an Operational Support Group dedicated to and developing expertise in searching and gathering intelligence on illicit material being hidden inside our prisons; they will be available in addition to the normal prison staff and can target specific security problem areas.

A substantial amount of work has been carried out to date at each of the prisons referred to by the Deputy to provide the new screening and searching facilities. It is expected that this work will be completed in the near future. The expenditure, to date, at each location is as follows:

Additional measures currently being introduced to enhance security include the following:

The third and final phase of the installation of a pilot scheme of mobile phone inhibition at the Midlands Prison is almost complete. Following the successful completion of the pilot project, roll-out will commence across the prison estate.

A national review of CCTV and an extensive CCTV programme is being rolled out across the prison estate.

In addition, the Irish Prison Service has introduced, inter alia, the following measures to ensure the ongoing safety of inmates and staff:

Tighter control and monitoring of prisoner visits in all closed prisons;

New visiting arrangements in most closed prisons, with visitors required to be pre-approved by the Governor and required to provide identification on each visit;

Greater use of screened visits;

Greater vigilance in examining mail by prison censors and searching of other items entering the prison;

Increased random searching of cells and their occupants;

Stricter searching of all persons committed to custody and prisoners returning from court, temporary release or after visits or on receipt of intelligence;

Use of modern cameras and probe systems which assist in searching previously difficult areas such as hollow chair or bed legs, beneath floorboards and other cavities;

Use of new hand-held metal detectors and upgrading and extended use of walk-through detectors.

Continued regular contact between the Gardaí and the Irish Prison Service.