Database on prison visitors to cut crime
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A database on all visitors to prisons -- more than two million people this year -- is to be introduced in the nation's jails. It is part of a series of security measures aimed at cracking down on the smuggling of drugs, weapons and mobile phones.
Visitors are now being told they must book visits in advance and provide identification on each visit.
Testing and training on an electronic-booked visits database has taken place and the aim is to "go live" in all prisons early in the new year.
A pilot database was set up in Wheatfield jail earlier this year and has proven to be a big success.
Apart from helping to counteract smuggling of contraband into the prisons, it has proven to be six times faster than its manual predecessor, catering for the same volume of visitors.
As a result, some of the staff previously involved in dealing with visitors have been redeployed to other work.
Training
Meanwhile, mandatory drug testing has been introduced in the jails and is already operational in Arbour Hill, the Training Unit, St Patrick's Institution and Shelton Abbey following the selection and training of dedicated staff, who will be active in all of the prisons.
They test for ecstasy, cocaine and opiates and authorised samples include urine, saliva and hair.
Refusal to provide a sample may be regarded as a breach of prison discipline and could result in action by the authorities against an inmate. All inmates are liable to be tested.
- Tom Brady Security Editor
Irish Independent
