Measures to tackle drugs in prisons announced

Minister for Justice Michael McDowell has announced a series of new measures to tackle illegal drug use in Irish prisons.

The measures include mandatory drugs testing, the use of detection dogs and increased security during visits to eliminate the supply of drugs into the system.

At an Irish Prison Service seminar for governors in Portlaois prison today, Mr McDowell said: "I will not allow a public perception to continue that prisons are drug-ridden and that there is little or nothing that can be done to improve the situation."

Mr McDowell said: "Tolerating a culture of this kind within prisons in not an option."

He said: "Drug abuse creates a culture of violence and intimidation, a culture extending beyond the prison walls into the neighbouring community and the families of inmates."

Minister McDowell also said he planned to bring proposals to Government for new statutory sentencing powers to provide incentives for offenders to avoid criminal behaviour.

Mr McDowell said the proposals to change the sentencing powers would provide practical incentives for offenders to address their problems.

Under the new amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill, a court could suspend or partially suspend sentences, other than mandatory sentences, subject to certain conditions including keeping the peace.

Mr McDowell said: "An order may include a condition that the person undergoes drug treatment or other substance abuse treatment or a rehabilitation course for sex offenders or that the person agrees to be subject to the supervision of the Probation and Welfare Service."

Mr McDowell said the proposals would also include in appropriate cases the option for the courts to impose a fine but defer the custodial sentence to assess if the offender avoided crime and the causes of criminal behaviour.

Under the new proposals, the courts would be given the power to impose restrictions of movement and electronic monitoring orders rather than imprisonment in certain minor offences.

Additional reporting by PA