European watchdog slams 'warden violence'

Europe’s human rights watchdog today urged the Irish authorities to crack down on ill-treatment in prisons and impose “severe sanctions” on prison staff using unnecessary violence to deal with inmates.

A 63-page report on Irish prison visits carried out a year ago by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) expressed concern about increasing levels of prisoner violence fuelled by the widespread availability of illegal drugs and the existence of a gang culture.