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.