Prisons ‘need radical change’

A former prison chief believes a “radical” look at the system is needed after he revealed 152 people were jailed last year for the non-payment of a TV licence.

John Tobin, who was in charge on the day of the 2008 Mountjoy prison riots, reckons that community service should be used more for lesser offences.

“It costs €65,000 to keep one individual in custody so I believe a radical look has to be taken in relation to sending people to prison. We send more people to prison per capita than anywhere else in the world.”

Mr Tobin, from Trim, Co Meath, described “prison justice” as “very brutal”.

“I’ve seen most vicious weapons made from a toothbrush handle in prison. It’s heated up and used to hold one or two blades. I’ve seen people being cut from their nose to their rear end and needing hundreds of stitches. Others have been cut from their jaw to their ear while more have suffered horrific beatings. It’s just part and parcel of prison life. The attacks are orchestrated and well-organised.”

He detailed how mobile phones were often smuggled into prison in the nappy of a baby or concealed in the rear end of adults.

“They’ll do anything to get them in. Phones and drugs are very valuable items within the prison system and people are hell bent on getting them in.”

Mr Tobin, who retired last year after 30 years of service, told LMFM radio of how personal safety was a huge priority for each prison officer.

“You travelled home a different route, you would never let your car go lower than a half-tank of petrol and you were very conscious of motorbikes behind you. If there was one, you’d pull in where there was a lot of people and see if the motorbike passed or pulled in as well.”