Dóchas Centre shabby, says report

The visiting committee of the Dóchas Centre women’s prison have complained of shabby accommodation, overcrowding, lack of toilets for visitors, and inadequate medical, dental, and mental health services.

Their report, together with the reports of visiting committees for Cloverhill and Castlerea prisons, were published yesterday by Alan Shatter, the justice minister.

All three reports raised serious concerns at the lack of staffing levels in the jails and the effect this had on services and facilities.