If the Minister can’t secure our prisons how can we expect him to secure our streets?
 
Minister must consider no-contact screened visits for known addicts
 
There were 1,293 drug seizures in Irish prisons last year, 547 in Mountjoy alone, according to figures released yesterday to Fine Gael by Government. The extent of the ongoing drug abuse within the Irish prison system makes a mockery of commitments made years ago by this Government to rid our prisons of the scourge of drug addiction, according to Charlie Flanagan T.D. Fine Gael Justice Spokesperson.
 
“As far back as 2004, the then Minister for Justice committed to ridding Irish prisons of drugs. Six years later and the evidence is that our prisons are still rife with the scourge of drug addiction. A prison is supposed to be a secure institution. If prisoners can access drugs, it is no wonder they have little difficulty smuggling in mobile phones, 2,174 of which were confiscated last year.
 
“If the Minister can’t secure our prisons how can we expect him to secure our streets?
 
“Contrary to the Ministers assertions that seizures are proof that detection is effective, it proves only that a chronic drug problem exists and that mobile phones are still commonplace behind our prison walls. If there was no problem, there would be no drugs or phones to detect in the first place.
 
“The Minister must consider the introduction of no-contact screened visits for known addicts. Otherwise a prisoner who enters prison as an addict has no chance of being rehabilitated and will be back inside having reoffended to feed the habit and clogging up a prison system already falling apart at the seams.
 
“In 2008 one in three of the 27,227 drugs tests carried out across Irish prisons tested positive. Research shows that not only do inmates import their drug addiction into prison once sentenced, many of those who enter prison drug free often emerge as addicts. The 1,293 seizures made last year are a clear indication that Irish prisons are still rife with drugs.
 
“One of the most disturbing aspects of the prison drug problem is the Minister’s tacit acceptance of the current situation. He has in effect, accepted his own failure. 1,293 drug seizures is proof of that failure. Whether the Minister likes it or not, the buck stops with him.”

Ends 
Note: Recorded seizures of drugs in prisons is as set out in the table below.   
 
QUESTION NO:  21
 
 
 
DÁIL QUESTION addressed to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. Ahern)
by Deputy Michael Creed
for ORAL on Thursday, 4th February, 2010.  
 
 
To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the quantity, type and value of drug seizures in each prison here in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
 
Prison/Place of Detention Number of Drug Seizures in 2009
Castlerea Prison 65
Cloverhill Prison 97
Cork Prison 35
Dóchas Centre 11
Limerick Prison 75
Loughlan House 12
Midlands Prison 93
Mountjoy Prison (male) 547
Portlaoise Prison 20
Shelton Abbey 19
St. Patrick’s Institution 92
Training Unit 60
Wheatfield Prison 167
Total 1,293