Prisons Bill 2005

Public bill · Government · Presented

The Prisons Bill 2005 would allow the Minister to hire private contractors to transport prisoners, take them to court and hold them temporarily, using custody officers who must be trained, certified and monitored. It would allow Mountjoy Prison to be closed in future, strengthen protections and disciplinary rules for prisoners in transit, and make it an offence for custody officers to misuse information or act without certification. Courts could also let prisoners take part in certain pre-trial hearings by live video link instead of bringing them to court, where this would be fair and practical.

Formal long title

Bill entitled an Act to enable the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to enter into agreements for the provision of certain services relating to the custody of prisoners by persons who are parties to such agreements; to provide for the certification of persons who will perform functions under this Act pursuant to such agreements; to provide for the giving of evidence by prisoners in certain types of proceedings before the courts by live television link; to amend the Prisons Act 1933; and to provide for matters connected therewith

Last updated 11 September 2018