Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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150. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of security screening in prisons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16081/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that a wide range of security measures, including security screening, are operational across the Prison estate.

The Operational Support Group (OSG) oversees the Security Screening Unit, the Canine Unit and the Operational Support Unit, and has responsibility for screening all persons entering the prison, using scanning equipment such as airport style walk through detectors. X-ray scanners are also provided in 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 security measures include the installation of nets over exercise yards to prevent access to contraband items, including mobile phones and drugs. The use of phone detectors and blocking technology, the introduction of hand held metal detectors and the introduction of Body Orifice Security Scanner (BOSS) Chairs are also used to prevent access to contraband in prisons. 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.

On 6 July 2015 the Irish Prison Service launched the Irish Prison Service Confidential anti-trafficking telephone line. The telephone line was introduced to provide Staff, members of the general public and prisoners with a means to call the Prison Service with information about any matter relating to smuggling or attempts at smuggling of prohibited articles such as drugs, weapon and mobile phones.