The Irish Prisons Service has advised of the introduction of new arrangements for prison visits which will apply to all visitors, including those attending on professional visits.
Under the new system, persons visiting prisoners will be required to make an appointment in advance. A designated telephone number for each prison will be in operation in order to book appointments.
Visitors will be asked to provide photographic identification on each visit, which will be used to confirm the date of birth given when booking the visit. Visitors must also provide specific personal details including name, address, date of birth, prisoner being visited, nature of visitor/prisoner relationship. All details will be recorded on an electronic database.
The system is already in place in the following prisons:
- Wheatfield Prison,
- Cloverhill Prison,
- St. Patrick’s Institution,
- Loughan House,
- Limerick Prison,
- Shelton Abbey
It is anticipated that the new system will be operational in all prisons by 31st March, 2010.