Action on prisoner complaint rules

NEW procedures for the investigation of serious complaints made by prisoners, including a provision for prison officers to wear identification, are to be placed on a statutory footing next month.

Responding to the latest report on Mountjoy Prison by Inspector of Prisons Judge Michael Reilly, Justice Minister Alan Shatter said procedures were to prevent any semblance of a culture of impunity being allowed to develop in the prison system.

“Prison officers do a difficult job, but abuse of their position is not acceptable. The inspector acknowledges that the director general of the Irish Prison Service has taken prompt action in addressing the issue of serious complaints by prisoners.