Chaplains slam Government's failure to tackle prisoner issues

Ireland's prison chaplains have criticised the Government's delay in tackling long-term difficulties facing inmates in Irish prisons.

In a report published today, the chaplains criticised the treatment of prisoners and the lack of rehabilitation facilities in Ireland's jails.

Fr Ciaran Enright, chaplain at Clover Hill Prison in Dublin, said the State had done very little to help prisoners, most of whom come from vulnerable sectors of society.

"The greatest investment the State has offered them in many cases has been to incarcerate them," he said.

"That's where the most financial investment has gone on their behalf."

Fr Enright said inmates should be rehabilitated while in prison to offer them the possibility of a new beginning when they are released.