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

132. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of known members of criminal gangs who have been released from prison in the past five years on completion of their sentence or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44528/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that a report compiled by them identified 12 criminal gangs within the prison population. This does not include subversive groupings in Portlaoise.

Membership or allegiance of these criminal gangs fluctuates on a continuous basis with some persons breaking links and others becoming affiliated on a daily basis. As such it is not possible to provide numbers in relation to the number of known gang members released in the past five years.

The emergence in recent years of criminal gangs has had significant implications for the management of Irish Prisons. Rivalries and feuds which develop on the outside continue inside the prison. Prison management must ensure that the various factions are kept apart, and as far as possible, that gang members do not have influence over other inmates in the prisons or criminal activities outside.

A number of initiatives have been introduced with a view to preventing identified gang leaders from conducting criminal activities while in custody and also to prevent them exerting inappropriate influence over other persons. For example, the security initiatives undertaken by the Operational Support Group have made it more difficult for prisoners to engage in illegal activities while in prison. These initiatives include the installation of airport style security including scanners and x-ray machines. The core function of this group includes the gathering and collating of intelligence information on criminal gang members in custody, carrying out intelligence led searches and preventing the flow of contraband, including mobile phones, into the prisons.

In addition, there is regular contact between the Prison Service and An Garda Síochána to discuss security issues including the operation of criminal gangs.