Staff shortages, drugs and inmate violence blight jails

Staff shortages, overcrowding, drugs and inmate violence are just some of the key issues highlighted in reports on 14 prisons across the country.

The Prison Visiting Committee reports for 2015 highlight a range of good and improving practices across the Irish prison system. However, issues around drug taking, violence and overcrowding persist.

In Cloverhill, the visiting committee noted that the introduction of yard hubs at the prison “does not protect prisoners as serious assaults have occurred”.