A report on the review of Prison Visiting Committees (PVC) has been published.

The recommendations follow a review of the existing functions, powers, appointment procedures, and reporting processes of PVC.

Completion of this review will allow for the PVC reform to be in line with rehabilitation-focused practices.

Reform of the legislation underpinning PVC will be advanced alongside legislation to achieve compliance with the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture (OPCAT) which the State signed in 2007.

The recommendations have been informed by a public consultation process and developed with the goal of recognising the value of these committees while modernising their functioning and pursuing best practice wherever possible.

The report provides 22 legislative recommendations and 27 non-legislative recommendations, the majority of which are focused on the structure, membership and appointment process of the committees.

Minister for Justice Simon Harris said: “Prison Visiting Committees have played an important role in the oversight of our State’s prisons by reporting to the Minister for Justice on issues of quality of accommodation, catering, medical, educational, welfare and recreational facilities for prisoners since their first establishment in 1925."

Pastoral care

“As this report makes clear, committees represent personalised pastoral care which is important to the wellbeing and rehabilitation of prisoners, and the committees do that with great diligence and commitment. 

“Taken together these recommendations will modernise practices and support the functioning of committees and their membership, which should in turn lead to better outcomes for prisoners in terms of rehabilitation and reintegration, ultimately improving public safety through the reduction of reoffending.”