Slopping out buckets shared in Limerick prison
A scathing update report has identified a litany of sub-standard conditions which critics have claimed are inhumane and degrading.
In a highly critical 46-page document drawn up on November 25 and published yesterday, Inspector of Prisons, Judge Michael Reilly, said that, based on a number of announced and unannounced visits to the prison over a nine-month period, he was in no doubt that recommendations in his 2010 annual report on Irish prisons had not been addressed.
According to Judge Reilly, large parts of the prison are unhygienic, severely overcrowded and a potential health and safety threat to both inmates and staff.
In particular, he said that on November 3 one in four cells had prisoners sharing slop-out buckets as toilets, while every window in the older A and B division areas had been smashed to let air into the cells.
This, Judge Reilly said, had been done partially because of the smell of sewage which permeated almost all of these locations.
Holes in walls, damage to ceiling and electrical work which had not been repaired were also noted, while sacks of rubbish were left in the shower areas where inmates also receive drinking water and clean their cooking utensils.
Prisoners in two of the older areas of the prison had no access to recreational yards.
In addition, concerns were again raised over the lack of a drug-free landing, problems with call bells “which could amount to a life or death issue” and severe overcrowding at the facility.
While Limerick Prison is designed to cater for 185 male and 24 female inmates, the actual intake is up to 329 and 41.
“Any suggestion that, because of its age, nothing can be done with Limerick prison to ensure that it complies with best standards, is untrue,” wrote Judge Reilly.
“I am also conscious of the present constraints on the public finances. I must point out none of these reasons can be taken as an excuse for denying prisoners their basic human rights,” he added.
Justice Minister Alan Shatter said he was disappointed the “deficiencies” have not yet been addressed.
The Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT), which welcomed the report, said it believed an action plan since drawn up to address the problems would improve standards.
Judge Reilly has confirmed he will continue to closely monitor the situation at Limerick prison, along with other facilities across the country.
A YOUNG man who had recently been transferred to Mountjoy prison in Dublin has been found dead in his cell.
The 27-year-old, whose name has not been released, was located in his single cell at 7am yesterday.
The man, from Dublin, had been serving a four-year sentence for burglary, attempted robbery and other offences.
He had only entered Mountjoy last month.
Gardaí and prison officers do not suspect foul play was involved.
* FOCionnaith.direct@examiner.ie
