Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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193. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of the report by the Committee for the Prevention of Torture following its visit to Cork Prison in 2010, if a review of the operation of the segregation unit at Cork Prison has been carried out; if the deficiencies observed by the committee regarding material conditions in D Unit have been rectified; if he will indicate the changes that have been made in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32618/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) Report following their visit to Ireland in 2010 made a number of recommendations in relation to the D Unit in Cork Prison.

In relation to the material conditions, the Government's response to the Report in February 2011 confirmed that cleaning products are available and prisoners are expected to keep their cells clean.

As the Deputy will be aware, legislation to give development consent for a new prison facility for Cork city was recently approved by this House and is now awaiting consideration by the Seanad.  The main purpose of the new prison facility is to replace the substandard prison accommodation in Cork and to provide a modern prison designed on the principles of rehabilitation and resettlement.

In relation to the other issues raised by the Committee, each prisoner in the D Unit receives between two to four hours exercise in the yard daily and no prisoner exercises alone. I can also advise the Deputy that on revision of the Standard Operational Procedures in the D Unit of Cork Prison, all prisoners can now make orders to the tuck shop, they are allowed access to phone calls and family visits. If any prisoner requests access to education, a teacher will be made available to provide them with assistance, and/or to provide additional educational resources such as books.