Helen McEntee

The IPS is currently a non-statutory agency of the Department of Justice. It has approximately 3,500 staff and an annual budget of €400 million and is responsible for the secure custody, care and rehabilitation of offenders in each of Ireland’s 12 prisons.

Legislative plans backed by ministers will establish the IPS as a fully-fledged State body with defined functions including providing safe and secure custody, upholding human rights, and supporting the well-being and rehabilitation of prisoners with a focus on reducing post-release recidivism.

Other statutory functions will include managing the prison estate and co-operating with other State actors in the interests of prisoner welfare and an efficient criminal justice system.

Helen McEntee, the justice minister, said the move “will ensure that this key agency is best placed to deliver on its challenging mandate into the future and to meet the highest standards of corporate governance compliance and performance”.

The role of IPS director general will also be placed on a statutory footing with overall responsibility and accountability for managing the prison system.

Oversight and support will be provided by a statutory non-executive board with expertise in penal administration, finance, corporate governance and risk management.

The director general and the board will be further supported by an audit committee and other expert committees as required. The government will continue to provide policy direction and approve overarching corporate strategy.

Mrs McEntee said: “The programme for government commits to a range of penal reform measures that require substantial modernisation of prison services and practices over the coming years. This includes an enhanced focus on rehabilitation and reducing recidivism, assisting prisoners with mental health, addiction and other personal difficulties, and upgrading the prison estate.

“At the same time, like other State agencies, the IPS must meet a growing and demanding variety of governance and performance obligations.

“A full statutory footing for the Prison Service and its director general, with support from an expert non-executive board, will cement its status as a crucial criminal justice body. It will place the IPS in a stronger position to implement and embed future reform and to ensure it maintains the highest standards in its management of the prison system.”