Written answers

Wednesday, 18 September 2013

Department of Justice and Equality

Prisoner Transportation

Photo of Pádraig Mac LochlainnPádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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1104. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the safety regulations pertaining to prisoners being transported throughout the State. [38294/13]

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service considers the safety of the transport of prisoners and staff with the utmost seriousness.

Furthermore I wish to advise the Deputy that all prisoner journeys are conducted in accordance with the terms of the PSEC (Prison Service Escort Corps) regulations manual. The manual is a comprehensive document and outlines strict procedures for Escorting Prisoners throughout the state. The aim of this policy is to provide safe humane and efficient arrangements across its operations for the escorting of prisoners and to contribute to the efficient operation of the criminal justice system. A further purpose is to ensure that escorts are carried out in a secure, safe, efficient and consistent manner.

All staff must have the relevant licence for the relevant vehicle. The categories required are B, D1 & D licence. Staff are trained by a qualified in-house approved driving instructor and are tested by an official Road Safety Authority approved driving tester. In addition all vehicles are subject to statutory DOE tests. Vehicle and tyre checks are carried out every three months, and any vehicle faults are rectified as soon as is possible.

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