Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 857: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the extent to which a drug free environment has been achieved in all prisons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27635/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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There are currently drug free units 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.

A wide range of security measures are currently in place aimed at reducing the supply of contraband, including drugs, into our prisons and in addition, new security initiatives are being introduced in all closed prisons. These include the introduction of enhanced security screening for all persons entering our prisons; the establishment of a drug detection dog service; and the establishment of Operational Support Units dedicated to, and developing expertise in, searching and gathering intelligence on illicit material being hidden inside our prisons.

These measures are coupled with the provision of enhanced drug treatment services for prisoners and the introduction of mandatory drug testing. The Irish Prison Service Drugs Policy and Strategy, "Keeping Drugs out of Prisons" 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 sees existing drug treatment programmes being expanded and enhanced with the further recruitment of nurses, psychologists 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.