Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 157: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the extent to which illegal drug operations continue to be conducted by persons serving sentences in prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19769/10]

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

A major challenge facing all prisons is the need to prevent contraband entering the prison. This contraband including mobile phones, weapons and drugs are valuable commodities which can assist in illegal activity.

There are prisoners who will attempt to use whatever means possible to continue criminal activity while in prison custody. The only way to absolutely guarantee that this could not take place would be to run a prison regime where prisoners are completely isolated from others and are prevented from having any contact with other prisoners, staff or members of the outside community. Such a regime would be unacceptable by European and international human rights standards.

In June 2007 the Government approved the resources necessary to introduce a package of new security measures targeting the routes whereby contraband such as drugs, weapons and mobile phones were trafficked into our prisons. The roll out of the various elements commenced in May 2008 with the establishment of the Operational Support Group which included: 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 30 handling teams; the establishment of Operational Support Units dedicated to and developing expertise in searching and gathering intelligence on illicit material being hidden inside our prisons; the Body Orifice Security Scanner (BOSS) chair was introduced by the Irish Prison Service in early 2008 and to date eight chairs have been installed.

The Irish Prison Service continues to test technology for the inhibition of mobile phone signals within prisons. Trials were undertaken in Mountjoy, Limerick and Portlaoise Prisons with varying degrees of success. Evaluation is still ongoing and while the ever changing mobile phone technology presents a real challenge, the IPS remains committed to finding a solution to the illicit use of mobile phones across the prison estate.

A wide range of additional security measures have also been introduced or enhanced during the period in question including: tighter control and monitoring of prisoner visits in all closed prisons; new visiting arrangements in all prisons, with visitors required to be pre-approved by the Governor and required to provide identification on each visit; 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; installation of nets over exercise yards to prevent access to contraband items, including mobile phones and drugs; and use of phone detectors and phased installation of telephone blocking technology.

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 illegal activities while in custody and exerting inappropriate influence over other persons. The A Block in Portlaoise is also used for a similar purpose for sentenced prisoners. There is regular contact between the Irish Prison Service and An Garda Síochána to discuss security issues and the Gardaí will be contacted whenever any suspected criminal offence has taken place.

The measures introduced have had considerable success in preventing the flow of and assisting in the capture of contraband. I am determined to support the Director General of the Irish Prison Service in taking whatever practical measures are possible to thwart illegal activity. There will be no easing off in relation to the security measures already in place and enhancements and improvements will continue to take place in future to meet the challenges posed across our prisons.