Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 190: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if nine plasma screen televisions were confiscated from prisoners during a search of cells in Portlaoise Prison in 2007; if his attention has been drawn to the claims made at the recent annual conference of the Irish Prison Officers Association that these televisions had been allowed in with the support of the prison authorities; his views on whether this was appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21086/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am informed by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that a number of flat-screen televisions were removed from cells during a planned search operation at Portlaoise Prison in May, 2007. At that time, an incident at the prison was under investigation at the request of the then Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and a review of security at the jail had been initiated. The investigation and review reports are being considered by the Irish Prison Service who have, in the meantime, introduced a number of changes including one which stopped the practice whereby prisoners were allowed purchase televisions, through the prison shop, for use in their cells.