Only 9 cells for mentally ill prisoners, claims POA

THERE are only nine cells in the prison system for mentally ill inmates, the Prison Officers’ Association (POA) has claimed.

President Stephen Delaney also revealed there are just nine bed spaces for drug addicts trying to detox in Mountjoy Prison.

Speaking on the eve of the POA’s annual conference in Kilkenny, Mr Delaney said there were in excess of 400 prisoners on protection, one in 10 of all inmates.