Psychiatric units in jails urged by reform group

PSYCHIATRIC units should be established in three of the country’s larger prisons because mentally ill people are ending up in jail so often.

The Irish Penal Reform Trust, which has accused the Government of breaches of prisoners’ human rights, wants the psychiatric units established in Mountjoy, Cork and Castlerea

prisons. The trust claims about 50% of the prison population suffer mental health problems. It is particularly concerned about the detention of mentally ill prisoners in padded cells.