Man crawled in cell while covered in own excrement

AN INCOHERENT prisoner, who was covered in his own excrement, crawled naked in his cell for at least six days because there was no place for him in the Central Mental Hospital.

The Inspector of Prisons, Judge Michael Reilly, said the case was “not unique”.

“The prisoner had been in the prison for six days prior to my visit. I was informed the prisoner had been in the same condition since admission to the prison.”

He said Ireland “would find it difficult” to defend itself if a case such as this was taken to the European Court of Human Rights.

In a report on prisoner healthcare, he said there was a shortage of beds in the Central Mental Hospital (CMH). He said this case highlighted the “urgency” of the problem.

“During the course of an unannounced visit to a prison a prisoner was observed in a safety observation cell. The prisoner was naked, was crawling on all fours on the floor, was covered in their own excrement and completely incoherent.”

Judge Reilly was satisfied the prisoner received appropriate clinical care and that his life was not in danger. He said prison staff were not trained to handle such a prisoner. The governor and consultant psychiatrist believed the prisoner needed to be in a psychiatric hospital, but the CMH was full. The prisoner was moved to the CMH six days later.

“This case history is not unique,” said Judge Reilly.

He added: “In cases ... where prisoners who should be in the CMH are detained in prisons ... it could not be said that Ireland is adhering to its obligations towards such prisoners.”

The Irish Penal Reform Trust said: “That the inspector has found seriously mentally ill prisoners continuing to be accommodated in inappropriate settings is a national scandal of the gravest nature.”