Call for Dáil debate on prisons report
The report by the Council of Europe Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) said there were “degrading” and “debasing” conditions in many prisons.
It said the problems of overcrowding and poor physical conditions are worst in Cork, Mountjoy, Limerick female prison and parts of Portlaoise prison.
The report documented instances of alleged assaults on inmates by prison officers and expressed concerns at the standard of investigations into them.
The Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) said the report was a “damning indictment” of a prison system which was failing to meet the “most basic human rights standards” of safe and humane custody.
“This report further documents... clear failures of administration in many important aspects of the system — including in relation to healthcare, prisoner protection and investigation of complaints against staff,” said IPRT executive director Liam Herrick.
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties called for a full Dáil debate and the establishment of an inter-departmental group to address the problems.
Last night, Prison Service director general Brian Purcell rejected IPRT claims the prison system was in crisis or unsafe.
He said nearly 2,000 extra prison places have been created in the last 14 years, including 700 spaces during 2009 and 2010.
He said the CPT were complimentary of conditions at the Midlands Prison, St Patrick’s and the newer blocks at Portlaoise Prison.
Mr Purcell reported “major progress” in addressing slopping out and 72% of prison spaces now had in- cell sanitation.
He said work was underway to install in-cell toilets in the basement of Mountjoy’s C wing.
He said incidents of violence had to be taken in the context of the violent history of many offenders.
He welcomed CPT comments that most inmates felt they were treated correctly.
* www.cpt.coe.int/en/states/irl.htm
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