Written answers
Thursday, 15 May 2025
Department of Justice and Equality
Prison Service
Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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265. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if there is a policy in place within the Irish Prison Service to notify victims of serious crime when the person convicted has died in prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24901/25]
Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish Prison Service Victim Liaison Service provides victims who have opted into the service with general information on the prison system. The Irish Prison Service have advised that where someone has registered as a victim, with the service, the Victim Liaison Officer will notify them of any significant development in the management of the prisoner during their prison sentence. This would include the prisoners death, if it occurs while they are in custody. The registered victim will be informed of the death, once the prisoner’s next of kin have been informed.
It is important to emphasise that the Victim Liaison Service is a voluntary service - it is a matter for the victim or their families to choose if they want to receive information about a prisoner. To some victims, unwanted contact regarding a perpetrator during their prison sentence could be regarded as intrusive or insensitive. Victims or their families can register with the service at any stage during the prisoner’s sentence and can change their mind and opt out of the service at any time.
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