Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

97. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the measures she is taking to prevent the influx of drugs and alcohol into the prison system. [12515/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I wish to advise the Deputy that a wide range of security measures are in place which are aimed at reducing the supply of contraband into prisons. The rollout of enhanced security measures has made it more difficult for prisoners and visitors to secrete contraband and improvised weapons.

The Operational Support Group (OSG) has prison officers assigned across its three areas, the Security Screening Unit, the Canine Unit and the Operational Support Unit, which have responsibility for scanning equipment such as airport style walk through detectors. X-ray scanners are also provided to each closed prison and all hand bags, briefcases, packages, coats etc. are subject to screening. Stricter searching is carried out on all persons committed to custody and prisoners returning from court, temporary release, after visits or on receipt of intelligence.

Other existing security measures include the installation of nets over exercise yards to prevent access to contraband items, including mobile phones and drugs, use of phone detectors and blocking technology, the introduction of hand held metal detectors and the introduction of Body Orifice Security Scanner (BOSS) Chairs which are used to scan all prisoners for metal secreted in their body cavities. In addition the introduction of booked visits, greater use of screened visits; greater vigilance in examining mail by prison censors and searching of other items entering the prison also contribute to preventing the entry of contraband into prisons.

Prisoners identified as exerting undue influence or pressure over other prisoners receive close and continued attention and targeted searching from the Operational Support Group and prisoners identified as threat to good order and security of any prison can be and are removed from normal regime activity.

Nevertheless, the Irish Prison Service recognises that constant improvements are required in this area. Additional security measures implemented during 2015 and 2016 were aimed at further enhancing the security of our prisons. Such measures included the introduction of a new free confidential telephone line in 2015 where prisoner, visitors, staff or members of the public with information on the trafficking of prohibited items into our prisons can pass on that information in the strictest confidence.