Weapons amnesty for inmates reduces prison violence

A weapons amnesty for inmates in one of the country’s bigger prisons has been credited with a reduction in violence and attacks.

However, the Wheatfield Prison Visiting Committee warned that staff morale “does not seem to be good” and expressed concern at the effects of this on both officers and prisoners.

In its 2014 report, the committee said drug use caused “a lot of difficulties” in the west Dublin jail and said the visiting section appeared to be “the weakest area” in terms of security because it was understaffed.