Inspector deems prison service a ‘disastrous failure’

THE late prisons inspector slammed the prison service as a disastrous failure in his final report to the Government.

Retired High Court judge, Mr Justice Dermot Kinlen, who died last July, also questioned the credentials of the director general of the prison service, Brian Purcell.

“While I respect him and believe that we have established a reasonably good working arrangement, I feel he does not have much experience in crime. He originally came from the Department of Social Welfare,” Mr Justice Kinlen said.

He said while he had “great admiration” for Mr Brian Purcell, “he is trying to defend the indefensible and excuse the inexcusable”.

He said he wished Mr Purcell and the Minister for Justice would “face up to the reality of the situation that the Prison Service has been a disastrous failure. The primary purpose of imprisonment is rehabilitation. However, the present system, particularly regarding young persons, practically guarantees that they will follow a life of crime.”

Mr Purcell said in a statement that he did not accept the inspector’s claim that the service was a disaster and a failure. He said he also rejected that the primary purpose of imprisonment was rehabilitation.

“Rehabilitation is an important element of custody, but it is only one element. The Law Reform Commission has stated... that the purpose of any custodial sentence encompasses parts of rehabilitation, retribution, incapacitation and deterrence,” he said. “And while I acknowledge that there are issues that need to be addressed in our prisons, action is being taken to address those issues.”

Mr Justice Kinlen, who has been succeeded by Judge Michael Reilly, criticised the fact that there are only eight places on a rehabilitation course for over 200 sex offenders.

Commenting on the St Patrick’s Institution for young offenders, he said it was “in all its manifestations a prison”: “To pretend that this institution is anything else is highly developed Jesuitical semantics.” He said it was “a finishing school in criminality encouraged by inactivity and colossal boredom.”

He criticised the Government for failing to give inmates access to a prisoners ombudsman to air complaints as is the case in the North.

Findings of the Inspector of Prisons

Cork Prison

* Prison overcrowded with single cell capacity of 150 holding an average of between 260 to 270.

* Only 10 cells had sanitary facilities and the slopping out was the norm.

* Only 59 prisoners could have classes on any day, leaving up to 160 idle.

* Prisoners had to stand during visits as there were only seats for visitors.

* Prisoners could only shower once a week.

Portlaoise Prison

* “Subversive” prisoners had no activities as workshops were cancelled to stop illegal substances being smuggled in raw materials.

Limerick Prison

* An urgent need for more probation and welfare staff.

Castlerea Prison

* Poor support and rehab services — library and computer workshop often closed and no psychologist was available.

Arbour Hill

* Spotlessly clean with activities for all prisoners, a good visiting area and a relaxed and homely atmosphere about the place.