Helen McEntee: Plans for prison mental health task force 'at an advanced stage' 

In its report in November, the Council of Europe Committee for the Prevention of Torture expressed concern at the facilities available to prisoners with severe psychiatric problems. File picture. 

The establishment of a task force on mental health, addictions, and imprisonment is "at an advanced stage", Justice Minister Helen McEntee has said.

The taskforce is a priority in the programme for government but has been the subject of increased focus since an EU committee report last month found that conditions experienced by some mentally ill prisoners here “might amount to inhuman and degrading treatment”.