Human rights of children are being violated at St Patrick’s, says inspector

The human rights of children and young adults at St Patrick’s Institution are being ignored or violated, Inspector of Prisons Judge Michael Reilly has said.

Some inmates had their clothes removed by force, while others had family visits prohibited as a form of punishment, a report shows.

Judge Reilly was highly critical of some prison staff and their interaction with inmates, and identified a culture of bullying in a small number of officers.

He described bullying and intimidation of officers and staff by a small minority of the officers had “the real potential to corrupt good prison officers”.

The report also shows investigations of prisoner complaints were flawed and incomplete.

“To say that there is a culture in St Patrick’s where the human rights of some prisoners are either ignored or violated is a serious statement,” said Judge Reilly.

Justice Minister Alan Shatter said the report into the unit, which holds 16- to 21-year-olds, was shocking.

“I have instructed the director general of the Irish Prison Service to ensure that everything possible is done to address these issues within the timeframes set by the inspector if not before then,” said Mr Shatter.

There are 200 young offenders in St Patrick’s, including 25 aged 17.

Judge Reilly said a combination of “weak management, the culture in the prison, the inattention to human rights norms, prisoners on protection and prevalence of drugs means that St Patrick’s has not lived up to the mission statement of the Irish Prison Service”.

He highlighted concerns over healthcare, education, and the use of control and restraint techniques contrary to established guidelines and international best practice.

The detention of children in St Patrick’s will end in 2014 when inmates move to a facility at Oberstown, Co Dublin.

Mr Shatter said a governor and two assistants have been hired and vowed improved training for officers at St Patrick’s is to be introduced as a matter of urgency.

Children’s Minister Frances Fitzgerald said the finding of the inspection was both shocking and unacceptable.