Prisons lack mental health expertise

A prisoner with serious mental health issues and who could not control his bodily functions was constantly locked up alone in a cell for his own safety because staff had no training in how to cope with him.

The situation was revealed by the inspector of prisons, Judge Michael Reilly, during a cross-party Oireachtas sub-committee meeting on penal reform yesterday.

Speaking during a discussion on the lack of specialist care for people with mental health issues in jails, the independent watchdog said his team were met with the “distressing scene” during a recent onsite visit.