‘Inappropriate relationships’ between staff and prisoners

An official report has highlighted allegations of “inappropriate relationships” between some female inmates at Dóchas women’s prison and a number of male staff. The Dóchas Visiting Committee report for 2017, just published by the Department of Justice along with 11 other prison visiting committee reports for the same year, did not provide details of the allegations.

Responding, the Irish Prison Service (IPS) said it could not comment on allegations, but said all prisoners had the right to make a complaint. An IPS statement said the most serious complaints were examined by an external investigator. It said that any staff member who has breached policy or procedures would be dealt with under disciplinary processes. The visiting committee report said that some women at the Dublin jail complained of officers “showing favouritism”, resulting in a “feeling of helplessness”.