Inmates make 50 complaints of abuse

INMATES made almost 50 complaints of ill-treatment at the hands of prison officers in the last two years.

But none of the alleged cases of abuse resulted in either disciplinary action or criminal charges.

The figures were provided by the Government following a request by a European rights’ watchdog.

The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) said they had heard complaints of ill-treatment of prisoners during their visits to three Irish prisons in May 2002.

Their report said most of the complaints were of verbal abuse, but that in Dublin prisons there were allegations of kicks, slaps and rough treatment.

In their response to the report, the Government said that 47 complaints of ill-treatment had been made over the last two years - 27 in 2001 and 20 in 2002.

The alleged ill-treatment referred to included general harassment, bullying, verbal abuse, physical assault, discrimination and sexual assault. Twelve the cases were referred to An Garda Síochána.

The Government said all the allegations were fully investigated: 43 had been completed and four were ongoing.

“In no case was there sufficient evidence to sustain a charge of ill-treatment,” the response said.

Six of the complaints were withdrawn. “In the great majority of other cases, the investigation carried out found that the allegation was not substantiated and that a disciplinary hearing was not warranted.”

The Government said none of the cases referred to the gardai resulted in a prosecution.

It added: “In a small number of these instances the complaint was found to be a deliberate fabrication leaving the complainant open to the possibility of further criminal charges.”

In its report, the CPT said that while senior management appeared determined to combat any ill-treatment, the prisoners seemed to have very little confidence in the complaints system.