Prison chiefs told to remedy flaws

PRISON chiefs have been ordered to address chronic overcrowding, “slopping out” and hygiene problems in their facilities by the end of next month, or face the consequences of their actions.

A new report by the nation’s inspector of prisons, Judge Michael Reilly, has warned that unless the serious flaws are immediately tackled, prison chiefs will have no other option than admit they are flouting established human rights levels of care.

According to the prisons watchdog, Ireland’s inmates — which also include those incarcerated for minor offences — are still being forced to live in custodial conditions which directly contradict even the most basic human rights standards.