Letter highlights conditions within ‘failing’ prison system

AN extraordinary letter written by a young offender taking drugs while in detention has highlighted the State’s continuing failure to rehabilitate prisoners.

Sections of the letter were read out in the Dáil yesterday by Fine Gael justice spokesman Jim O’Keeffe during a debate on new prison legislation.

The letter contained detailed descriptions of how the inmate at St Patrick’s Institute for young offenders picked up drugs on the grounds of the facility.

The inmate wrote: “The (prison) governor said to me that if I don’t pick up hash out in the yard, he would let me out in two weeks, but stupid me goes out in the yard and starts picking up.

‘‘And I went in the next morning to the governor over picking up and he took my telly off me for two week. So I’m in my cell for two weeks without a telly. I am sitting here listening to Bob Marley, flaking out with a nice spliff in me mouth.”

The inmate then went on to describe what he would do when released.

He wrote: “I’m in 12 months now and I tell you I won’t be robbing cars — that’s for sure. When I get out, I’m going to get a bit of coke and go down to (placename) and sell it. (Two friends) went down one night and made €1,300 on E 30-bags.”

Mr O’Keeffe said “E” was a reference to ecstasy, adding: “It is interesting as it is a hands-on account of what is happening in St Patrick’s Institution, and even worse is the already clear intent of what (the inmate) will do when he is released.”

The Fine Gael TD said the situation was symptomatic of the wider malaise within the prison system.

It was clear evidence, he said, that “Ireland’s prison system is failing”.

Justice Minister Michael McDowell admitted it had been “depressing” to witness the standard of some prison facilities when he took office.

“Since my appointment as minister, it has been most depressing to see some of the institutions. While the staff work hard and the prisoners themselves do their best to make their own circumstances humane, we have done little to live up to our obligation to the entire principle of education and rehabilitation within the prison system.

“While prisons must be secure, they should also be modern places that do not dehumanise prisoners. The building of a new prison at the Thornton Hall site (in Dublin) and, hopefully, in north Cork will be a major step in this regard.”