John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 12: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he is satisfied that sufficient drug free landings are available in prisons here in view of the danger of prisoners developing drug addictions in prisons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14139/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I am committed to ensuring that all prisons are drug free in line with the commitments contained in the Irish Prison Service Drugs Policy and Strategy and I will continue to pursue strategies to achieve that objective. Drugs have a pernicious effect both on prisoners and on the prison system itself and they must be eradicated. However, this is not a problem that can be solved overnight.

One of the strategies adopted in progressing towards drug free prisons has been the introduction of drug free units. They are currently operating in the following prisons: Wheatfield Prison; St. Patrick's Institution; Castlerea Prison and Mountjoy Prison. There is also an intensive detox programme in operation in Mountjoy Prison. Allied to this the Training Unit, Arbour Hill Prison, Loughan House and Shelton Abbey are regarded as drug free institutions. The operation and consideration of the expansion of such facilities is a matter kept under constant review by the Irish Prison Service.

The Irish Prison Service Drugs Policy and Strategy, entitled Keeping Drugs out of Prison was launched in May 2006. For those prisoners who have given up drugs, and those who do not misuse drugs, the policy provides for the establishment of Voluntary Drug Testing Units within each closed prison. This allows prisoners to reside in an environment that has enhanced supports to maintain their drug free status. For many offenders, prison provides the first opportunity to escape from the terrible cycle of drug abuse. Drugs awareness courses and other interventions to highlight the detrimental effects of drug use and encourage prisoners to adopt or maintain a drug free lifestyle are also provided. The Irish Prison Service is also enhancing the range of treatment options for those who are addicted to drugs.

I am fully committed to supporting the provision of drug free units and to encouraging prisoners to develop a responsible attitude to drugs, both while in prison and following release as outlined in the Strategy.

The Prison Rules 2007, which took effect from 1 October 2007, include specific provision for mandatory drug testing. Mandatory drug testing provides information on trends in drug misuse, enables the identification and referral of drug abusers to treatment programmes, enables enhanced focusing of resources and acts as a deterrent to drug misuse. Mandatory drug testing will also serve to provide important information to prison management that will contribute significantly to decision-making in relation to the management of individual prisoners' sentences.

With regard to supply elimination, the implementation of the Policy and Strategy has seen an intensification of efforts to eliminate the availability of illicit drugs within prisons. In addition to the introduction of mandatory drug testing, other elements include enhancement of CCTV, utilisation of video scope camera cell search and enhanced security generally. Also, new visiting arrangements are in place in almost all closed prisons whereby only persons who have been nominated by the prisoner and pre-approved by the Governor are permitted to visit.

Facilities for screened visits have been installed in all closed prisons. In accordance with the Irish Prison Service Drugs Policy and 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 visits only.

As regards enhanced security, the Deputy will also be aware that in 2007 I secured sanction for an additional 155 staff to implement a range of security measures, coordinated nationally by a dedicated Governor, aimed at 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 Operational Support Units in each prison dedicated to, and developing expertise in, searching and gathering intelligence; and

the introduction of enhanced security screening and searching of all persons (visitors and staff) entering our prisons.

With regard to demand elimination and treatment for prisoners with drug problems, the policy and strategy provides for a comprehensive range of treatment options. Drug rehabilitation programmes for prisoners involve a significant multidimensional input by a diverse range of general and specialist services provided both by the Irish Prison Service and visiting statutory and non-statutory organisations. The programmes seek to reduce the demand for drugs within the prison system through education, treatment and rehabilitation services for drug-addicted prisoners. Particular initiatives include, inter alia, the provision of detoxification, methadone maintenance, education programmes, addiction counselling and drug therapy programmes.

The strategy mentioned above sees existing drug treatment programmes being expanded and enhanced with the further recruitment of nurses, psychologist and 24 dedicated addiction counsellors, as well as other staff including prison officers. The expansion of these services is being achieved in partnership with community based services and will see a significant improvement in the range, quality and availability of drug treatment service in the prisons.

I am committed to ensuring that all prisons are drug free in line with the commitments contained in the Irish Prison Service Drugs Policy and Strategy.