Prisons in breach of universal standards

CLOSE to 300 inmates have attempted suicide or seriously mutilated themselves in Irish prisons over the last three years, the latest figures reveal.

However, despite international criticism over the treatment of mentally ill or distressed people in prison, Irish guidelines continue to fall far short of best practice and are in breach of international human rights protocols.

Valerie Bresnihan, head of the Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT), said the continued isolation of mentally ill prisoners was a clear breach of international standards.