Inmates in the State's prisons will be subjected to compulsory drug testing where considered appropriate, when a new set of prison rules comes into force in November.
Minister for Justice Michael McDowell published a draft of the new rules today which deal with all aspects of prison life including accommodation, visiting rights, discipline, health and education and also set out the duties and responsibilities of Prison Officers and Governors.
"The existing Prison Rules date back to 1947 and contain provisions that reflect their age including special provisions for prisoners under sentence of death.," said Mr McDowell.
"Clearly they are no longer adequate or appropriate for today's conditions."
He also said that the new rules take full account of international instruments including the latest draft of the European Prison Rules, rulings of the European Court of Human Rights and best practice internationally.
The new rules regulate the use of humane special observation cells which Mr McDowell has directed to be introduced. They will solely be for the protection of prisoners who may cause self harm and cannot be used as a form of punishment.
For the first time the rules also provide a statutory basis for the inspection of prisons by the Inspector of Prisons .
The new rules also remove outdated references contained in the associated to penal servitude, the division of offenders and the sentence of imprisonment with hard labour. Punishments now considered inhumane such as restricted diet or corporal punishment have also been removed.