Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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573. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the practices of visiting prisoners have been adjusted and improved in accordance with vaccination levels in the prison and general population given many have been without family visits since March 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37832/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The unwinding of prison restrictions and the resumption of physical visits is a priority for the Irish Prison Service and my Department.  As the Deputy will appreciate, this is kept under ongoing review and is subject to a number of critical factors including the risk of the Delta variant, the need to maintain infection control measures, the roll out of the prison vaccination programme for both prisoners and staff, as well as the community vaccination programme.  

I can advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service has developed a new Framework for the Unwinding of Prison Restrictions, informed by the recent Government Plan for reopening our society, set out in Resilience and Recovery: The Path Ahead.  

On 9 June, a full prison vaccination programme commenced on a phased prison by prison basis. Vaccinations are being administered by the National Ambulance Service, supported by Prison Service health care teams to all prisoners, and unvaccinated staff under 40 years of age. In line with the vaccination schedule, physical visits to prisons will recommence on a phased prison by prison basis with visits resuming 7 days after prisoners have been fully vaccinated. To date, nine prisons have received their first round of vaccinations with the remaining three prisons scheduled in the coming weeks.

I can confirm that in the past week a second round of vaccinations took place in Wheatfield and Portlaoise Prisons and the Irish Prison Service will recommence physical visits in Wheatfield Prison on 14 July and in Portlaoise Prison on 16 July.

I am advised that, under the current vaccination schedule, it is expected that visits will have recommenced in eight prisons by the end of July with visits returning to the remaining four locations in August and September (Midlands, Limerick, Cloverhill and Cork Prisons). 

However, it is also important to note that this will be subject to consideration of infection and hospitalisation levels in the community, given the increased concern surrounding the Delta variant. 

The operation and frequency of visits will be kept under ongoing review, guided by HSE, Public Health advice and with a desire to support as much contact as possible between prisoners and their families.

Finally, I can advise the Deputy that the video visit system which was introduced in 2020 has proven very successful and when physical visits recommence, the Irish Prison Service will also retain the option of video calls for prisoners.  

Detailed information for families in relation to the operation of visits and booking system is available on the Irish Prison Service website www.irishprisons.ie.

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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574. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the Irish Prison Service can at this stage of the Covid-19 situation, allow solicitors see their clients in person as opposed to video link, particularly in complex cases and in which interpreters might be needed (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37833/21]

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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575. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the Irish Prison Service is producing prisoners for video link consultation with their solicitors on every occasion necessary; if not, the reason; her plans to address this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37834/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 574 and 575 together.

The Irish Prison Service has introduced a wide range of measures to address the risk presented by Covid-19 in a prison environment. 

These measures have at all times been guided by the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and are consistent with the prison specific guidance for the management of Covid-19 issued by the World Health Organisation and the guidance of the Council of Europe. 

The strategy employed by the Prison Service to control the risks arising during this pandemic has to date been very successful and it has in place contingency plans to ensure, to the greatest extent possible, that all prisoners have access to phone or video calls with their legal representatives. 

In addition all prisoners are entitled to receive legal correspondence by post in accordance with Rule 44 of the Prison Rules, 2007.

In order to prevent the spread of COVID 19, management of the Prison Service has requested, through the Law Society, that physical visits are only carried out where absolutely necessary.

However, any solicitors that require to see their client in person in any prison are facilitated, with interpretation where required.

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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576. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the date and findings of the most recent studies done on prisoner literacy and numeracy in the State both when they arrive for the sentence and when they leave; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37835/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will wish to note that the Irish Prison Service has entered into an agreement with Dublin City University to undertake an audit of the literacy and numeracy levels of people in custody and a PhD scholarship has recently been awarded to a postgraduate researcher to undertake this audit under the supervision of the University.

Education in prisons is delivered in partnership between the Education and Training Board and the Prison Service with a focus on providing education which is quality assured, student centred and which facilitates lifelong learning.

The partnership endeavours to meet the needs of prisoners through helping them cope with their sentence, achieve personal development and prepare for life after release. A broad and flexible curriculum is provided which includes basic literacy and numeracy classes and peer-led tutoring.

The Prison Service collect some demographic information during the Governor’s committal interview. This information is self-reported. 

Based on the most recent snapshot of data from 30 June 2021, 140 out of 3,891 (or 3.6%) of committal prisoners self-reported as illiterate/semi-literate.  

It is important to note that the circumstances of committals can vary, as can the needs of an individual at the time of committal and their willingness to provide accurate information and this can affect the quality of the data collected.

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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577. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the cost per annum to the Exchequer of keeping a prisoner in the prison system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37836/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that the average annual cost of an available, staffed prison space during the calendar year 2020 was €80,445, a 6.7% increase on the 2019 cost of €75,349. 

The figure includes all elements of net expenditure incurred to the Irish Prison Service vote within the year, (such as salaries, utilities/maintenance, ICT, services provided to prisoners including education, healthcare, work training etc.) excluding capital expenditure on buildings and vehicle purchases. 

I can further advise the Deputy, the increase on the 2019 figure is due to a number of once off factors leading to additional significant costs during 2020.

These factors include additional pay period for prison officers, Covid-19 pandemic related costs and once off approved Stimulus costs. 

If these once off expenditure items were to be removed from the calculations above the cost per available, staffed prison space for 2020 would reduce from €80,445, as above, to €76,632, an increase of 1.7% on the 2019 figure.

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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578. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners currently in the prison system; the number according to age group by decade in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37837/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that the information requested is provided in the attached table and was compiled on 8 July 2021.

<a href="https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/debates/questions/supportingDocumentation/2021-07-14_pq57813072021_en.pdf">Number of Prisoners currently in the prison system</a>

<a href="https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/debates/questions/supportingDocumentation/2021-07-14_pq57813072021_en.docx">Prison population by Age Group</a>

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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579. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners currently being treated for a mental health conditions; the number who began their sentence known to have a mental health condition; the number who have been assessed as needing psychological help and getting psychological help; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37838/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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All people committed to prison are subject to a comprehensive medical assessment by the Prison Healthcare Team, which includes a mental health assessment. The information provided as part of this process is recorded on the person’s individual medical record on the Prison Healthcare Management System. This information allows for the development of an individual healthcare plan for the prisoner while in custody. Where necessary, the person is referred to a forensic clinician or Prison Service Psychologist or both. Medical and/or psychological treatment is provided as clinically indicated.

Of the current prison population, at the time of committal 506 people (13% of the prison population) indicated that they had previously been treated by the Mental Health Services, had previously deliberately self-harmed or attempted suicide and had previously been prescribed medication indicated for the treatment of depression or psychosis. 

In-reach mental health services are provided by the HSE’s National Forensic Mental Health Service, involving the provision of weekly forensic mental health sessions which are led by Consultant Forensic Psychiatrists, supported by Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors, Community Psychiatric Nurses, and Social Workers. The caseload of the NFMHS in reach team includes up to 250 people who are ordinarily in the custody of the Prison Service. These patients are almost entirely made up of people with severe mental illnesses but include those with prominent personality disorder usually with co-morbid less serious mental illness, with the majority having co-morbid substance misuse problems (70%).

The Prison Service Psychology Service take a lead role in relation to mental health assessment for the purposes of groups or individuals talking therapy interventions.  They also provide offence related (criminogenic) assessment and intervention (which frequently includes mental health and trauma related factors). 

In 2020, approximately 1,400 people were referred to the service. Almost 60% of this cohort were referred specifically due to mental ill health, with the remaining being open referrals where mental ill health is likely to be a component once the triage assessment is complete. 

As of 12 July 2021, there are 639 people being assessed or intervened with and 1,171 on the waiting list for assessment or intervention.

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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580. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of psychologists employed by and also available to the State for the treatment of prisoners in tabular form in each of the past ten years; the number of prisoners referred to them in each of the past ten years in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37839/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Table 1 below provides the number of Psychologists employed by the Prison Service as at 31 December for each year from 2011 to 2020.

The number provided for 2021 are correct as at 30 June 2021. 

Table 1 - Number of Psychologists employed by the Irish Prison Service

The IPS has informed me that it is currently considering the recruitment of a Senior Clinical or Counselling Psychologist with prison experience instead of an Occupational Psychologist, who would take a lead role in supporting the IPSC (Irish Prison Service College) with psychology relevant training and leadership programmes for staff.

Table 2 below provides the number of prisoners referred to psychology services from 2019 to date. It is important to note that this data may include some instances of multiple referrals for one person. 

I wish to advise the Deputy that the data in relation to the number of prisoners referred to psychology services is available from 2019 to date. Prior to 2019 this data was not collated in the manner requested by the Deputy.  

Table 2: Number of Direct Referrals

<a href="">number of Psychologists employed by the Prison Service</a>

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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581. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners on anti-anxiety and anti-depressant or mood related medication; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37840/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The Irish Prison Service aim to provide healthcare services to those in custody on an equivalent basis to that which is available to those eligible for General Medical Services in the community, including the use of medication as clinically indicated.

I am advised that all medications prescribed for persons in custody are used in line with best practice guidelines, as issued by the Prison Service drugs and therapeutics committee in line with HSE/National Guidance.

As of 8th July, a total of 13 people in custody (0.34% of the prison population) were prescribed medication whose main indication is for the treatment of anxiety.

Some of the medicines in this group may be prescribed for indications other than anxiety, for example, as part of an alcohol withdrawal programme or for other indications such as epilepsy or muscle spasm.

A total of 562 people in custody (14.7% of the prison population) were prescribed medication whose main indication is for the treatment of depression. Some of those medications may also be prescribed for other licensed indications such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

There are 234 people in custody (6.15%) prescribed medications with a licensed indication for the treatment of both depression and anxiety.

However the Deputy will wish to note that in the absence of specific diagnosis for each of these 809 people, it is not possible to definitively give a number for those prisoners prescribed medication solely for depression or anxiety.

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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582. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the stated capacity of prisons and the current numbers incarcerated in same in tabular form in each of the past ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37841/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that the number of persons in custody peaked in February 2011 at 4,621, before falling back to 3,525 in January 2015. However, since 2016, the number of persons in custody had been steadily increasing until March 2020 when this trend was ended with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Since March 2020, as part of its response to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic in custodial setting, the Prison Service has been implementing measures to reduce the prison population. This has been done in order to ensure good infection control and to ensure that cells are available for the accommodation of any prisoner who may be required to isolate in accordance with guidance from the public health authorities.

In 2019, in response to increasing prisoner numbers, the Director General introduced a Prison Population Management Plan aimed at identifying the short, medium and long term actions required to address the rising prisoner numbers. As a result, approximately 135 additional beds were introduced. The current bed capacity of the prison estate is 4,375. 

A further 96 prisoner spaces will come on stream in due course (subject to easing of restrictions regarding the Covid-19 pandemic) with the reopening of the Training Unit at Mountjoy as an older persons facility. In addition, the construction of a new male wing and standalone female prison is underway in Limerick Prison and will provide 90 additional male and 40 additional female spaces. It is however, subject to delays due to Covid-19 pandemic.

I am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that the number in custody on 7 July, 2021 was 3,868 representing a 88% occupancy rate.

The attached table 1 sets out the occupancy statistics for the past 10 years.

Statistics from 2009 onwards are available on the Irish Prison Service's website at www.irishprisons.ie/information-centre/statistics-information/

Table 1

<a href="">Irish prisons statistics</a>

<a href="">stated capacity of prisons</a>