MR. PATRICK O'BRIENI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether it is usual for Prison Governors in Ireland to visit all prisoners under their control at regular intervals to hear their complaints, if any, with the view of having such complaints, if any, remedied as far as possible, consistent with the health, safe custody, and discipline of the prisoners; whether it is usual to make changes in the employment of prisoners from time to time at their own request, and as a reward for good conduct; whether there are any, and, if so, how many prisoners permanently employed, weather permitting, at outside work in Mountjoy Convict Prison; whether any of those prisoners have been so employed from two to five years; for what special reason has the 162 Governor of Mountjoy refused to allow Thomas O'Leary, whose, conduct has been good, a change of employment from the shoemaking shop to outdoor work; and will he see that O'Leary's request is granted?
§ MR. JACKSONThe reply I have received from the General Prisons Board in regard to paragraphs 1 and 2 of the question is in the affirmative. Of the prisoners at the present time employed in Mountjoy Prison at outdoor work, 14 have been so employed continuously for two years or upwards, but no promise of permanent employment at any particular form of labour is given to any convict. As regards the case of the particular convict mentioned, I notice that the hon. Member has changed the wording of the question. When I answered formerly the question was as to permanent change of employment. That request was refused, but it would not be correct to say that he had been refused change of employment.