Written answers

Wednesday, 27 May 2009

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Prison Security

9:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 168: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the extent to which action has been taken to stamp out the running of criminal empires by prisoners serving sentences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21813/09]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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This Government took a decision in 2007 to approve the resources necessary to introduce a package of security measures which target the routes whereby contraband such as drugs, weapons and mobile phones are trafficked into our prisons. As a result, a number of new security initiatives have been introduced in all closed prisons including: the introduction of enhanced security screening for all persons (visitors and staff) entering our prisons; the establishment of a drug detection dog service within the Irish Prison Service involving approximately 31 handling teams; the establishment of Operational Support Units dedicated to, and developing expertise in, searching and gathering intelligence in our prisons.

In addition, a high-security unit was opened in Cloverhill Prison in May 2007 which enables the segregation of serious drug and criminal gang members from other prisoners, thus preventing them from conducting their business while in custody and exerting inappropriate influence over other persons.

There has also been an intensification of efforts to eliminate the availability of contraband within prisons including: tighter control and monitoring of prisoner visits in all closed prisons; new visiting arrangements in most closed prisons, with visitors required to book visits in advance, be pre-approved by the Governor and 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, 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, under floor boards and other cavities; the use of a number of Body Orifice Security Scanner (BOSS) chairs; installation of nets over exercise yards to prevent access to contraband items, including mobile phones and drugs; use of phone detectors and phased installation of mobile phone inhibition technology.

Section 36 of the Prisons Act 2007, which was brought into operation on 1 May, 2007, makes it an offence for prisoners to have unauthorised possession of or use of mobile telecommunication devices. Under the Act it is also an offence to supply such a device to a prisoner. The penalties for such an offence, on summary conviction, include 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. It is Irish Prison Service policy to report seizures of mobile phones to the Gardaí.

The new security screening at prison entrances and the measures introduced have had considerable success in preventing the flow of and assisting in the capture of contraband such as mobile phones. The Irish Prison Service, with my full support, are determined to take all practical measures possible to thwart criminals engaged in illegal activity. To that end the current stringent security measures will continue to operate within our prisons and as and where deemed necessary enhancements and improvements will continue to take place in the future.

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