Unit for 'protected prisoners' not fit for purpose, says inspector

A specialist unit for gang members and other protected inmates at Mountjoy prison in Dublin, is no longer fit for purpose, according to a report from the Inspector of Prisons.

He has called for the unit to be closed because he feels it is overcrowded and dirty .

Judge Michael Reilly's final report contains a detailed and damning description of what he found during his inspections of Mountjoy's Separation Unit.

Located at the back of the prison, he says it seems as though it was forgotten in the overall refurbishment of the campus.

During his visits over a six-month period, Judge Reilly said the so-called "protected prisoners" were bored and spent most of their time on lock down.

The exercise yard was not in use, glass partitions made communication with visitors almost impossible and education was provided on an irregular basis.

He found cells to be cold and filthy. Some toilets did not flush so prisoners had to pour water into them to clear them and many didn't have privacy screens.

Judge Reilly now wants the unit to be shut down.

The Prison Service agrees and says a phased closure plan is now being developed which will see all prisoners relocated to other parts of the estate.

The report also looked at the cases of 24 prisoner deaths.

It highlighted shortfalls in the system of checks on prisoners under observation.

The report also wants risk assessments undertaken for prisoners due for temporary release.

The inspector also criticised some prison officers for the minimal content of their reports on deaths in custody.