Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 September 2025
938. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of complaints made by prisoners regarding alleged discrimination, in the years 2022 to 2024 and to date in 2025; the measures taken by the Irish Prison Service in 2024 and to date in 2025 to prevent discrimination within Irish prisons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49015/25]
View answerI can inform the Deputy a prisoner complaints system was introduced by the Irish Prison Service in November 2012. The relevant legislation governing prisoner complaints can be found in Rule 57(b) of the Prison Rules, 2007, as amended.
All prisoners have the right to make a complaint at any time and all complaints are treated with the utmost seriousness. Complaints vary in nature and seriousness.
The current system categorises complaints according to their nature and seriousness, ranging from a 'Category A' complaint through to a 'Category F' complaint.
• Category A are complaints alleging assault or use of excessive force against a prisoner, or ill-treatment, racial abuse, discrimination, intimidation, threats or any other conduct against a prisoner of a nature and gravity likely to bring discredit on the Irish Prison Service. Category A complaints are investigated by external independent investigators.
• Category B are complaints of a serious nature, but not falling within any other category of complaint. Examples of Category B complaints could include verbal abuse of prisoners by staff, inappropriate searches or any other conduct against a prisoner of a nature likely to bring discredit to the Irish Prison Service. Category B complaints are investigated by a Chief Officer with recourse to appeal to the Governor.
• Category C complaints are basic service level complaints (complaints about visits, phone calls, reception issues, missing clothes, not getting post on time, not getting appropriate exercise, etc.).
• Category D complaints relate to complaints against all professionals which include medical personal, lawyers, accountants, etc.
• Category E Complaints are complaints made by visitors to the prison.
• Category F complaints are complaints against decisions made by IPS Headquarters in relation to the granting of temporary release and prison transfers.
Where a prisoner makes a complaint of alleged discrimination, it is investigated under the IPS Complaints Procedures and may also be referred to An Garda Síochána. In 2022 and 2023 no complaints were made to the Irish Prison Service by prisoners alleging discrimination on any of the grounds set out in the Equal Status Acts. In 2024 two complaints were received alleging discrimination, both of these complaints were examined before they were deemed outside of the scope of Rule 57B. In 2025 to date, the Irish Prison Service has received two complaints, both complaints are still being processed.
My Department is currently working with key stakeholders in the Irish Prison Service, the Office of the Inspector of Prisons and the Office of the Ombudsman to develop a new prisoner complaints system.
The Irish Prison Service is committed to ensuring that all those in its custody are treated with dignity and respect, in full compliance with our obligations under national equality legislation and international human rights standards.
The Irish Prison Service has taken a range of measures in 2024 and to date in 2025 to prevent and address discrimination. These include:
• Continued delivery of equality, diversity and inclusion training to recruit prison officers as part of the Higher Certificate in Custodial Care, with emphasis on awareness of the nine equality grounds under the Equal Status Acts.
• Development and dissemination of information materials for prisoners to ensure that all are aware of their rights and the complaints process, with a focus on accessibility for those for whom English is not a first language.
• Ongoing work of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Unit in IPS Headquarters to strengthen policies and support a culture of respect across the prison estate.
These measures form part of the Service’s wider commitment to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all prisoners have equal access to services and opportunities within the prison system, and that complaints of discrimination are handled transparently and effectively.
