Prisoner waited 43 days for mental care, finds report
Committee members visiting Arbour Hill, Dublin, reported their concern over the delay in treatment and said it was unacceptable that a prisoner who has been deemed in need of psychiatric care should be unable to access a bed for such a prolonged period.
The prison was praised, however, for its continued drug-free status, its quality catering work and the fact that 85% of inmates were involved in secondary and third-level education.
The report goes on to say that in Cloverhill Prison, communication between staff and inmates has become a problem, with insufficient resources for foreign prisoners and committee members recommended that prison officers learn a core of foreign languages.
“At the moment, other prisoners act as interpreters on a daily basis,” said the report.
According to the report the prison needed educational facilities as a ‘priority’ with staff shortages affecting the library in particular.
Like other prisons, overcrowding was identified as a particular problem in Cloverhill, with many people facing deportation held temporarily at the jail. In addition the smuggling of drugs was noted as a problem.
The Portlaoise Prison Visiting Committee, in its report, strongly criticised the continued use of an old wing at the jail.
“We once again wish to report on how disappointed we are that prisoners still occupy the D Block despite numerous reports from the various committees during the last number of years on the appalling state of this block and the deplorable conditions for both prisoners and staff.”
The committee noted, however, that the building of the new C Block was progressing well and was due for completion at the end of 2007.
In its annual report for 2006, the committee said that while the overall health of prisoners was good, the level of psychological support continued to suffer.
“We are disappointed to report that the prison once again does not have a psychologist. The psychologist position filled only last year again became vacant and to date no replacement has been appointed.”
In relation to drugs, the Midlands Prison Visiting Committee noted that a sniffer dog had been very successful since its introduction in June 2006 and that a second dog was added in November.
In their report, the Wheatfield Prison Visiting Committee welcomed the proposed introduction of sniffer dogs into the Dublin jail next year.
It said it hoped this move, along with plans to block mobile phones, would also help eradicate “the scourge of drugs in the prison”.
