Ireland's first 'end of life' suite to be opened in Midlands prison 

In the prison visiting committee report for 2022 for the prison, published by the government two weeks ago, it was noted that nine inmates died in custody of the Midlands prison that year. Picture: Moya Nolan

The first “end of life” suite in the Irish prison system is to be completed shortly in the Midlands prison.

The facility will provide terminally ill prisoners who are not in hospice, hospital, or family care a dignified alternative to dying in a cell on a prison landing, according to the Irish Prison Service (IPS)

In the prison visiting committee report for 2022 for the prison, published by the government two weeks ago, it was noted that nine inmates died in custody of the Midlands prison that year.

A spokesman for the IPS said: “The Irish Prison Service can confirm that the end of life suite is currently at an advanced stage of development but is not yet operational. 

This facility has been designed to provide an alternative for prisoners who may otherwise die on a prison landing, addressing a critical need.

He said there had been incidents in the past where inmates had returned to the prison from hospital to die there.

The suite has been developed in support of the Irish Prison Service End of Life Framework, said the spokesman.

The framework was developed following the death of a 56-year-old Midlands inmate in November 2021. The man, referred to as Mr H in a report on his death by the Office of the Inspector of Prisons, was committed to Cork Prison in December 2010 to serve a life sentence and was transferred to the Midlands Prison a week later.

He was diagnosed as being terminally ill in August 2021.

An investigation into his death found that a prison doctor requested on three occasions the previous August, September and October for the man to be released on medical grounds so “he could spend his remaining life in a dignified manner”. 

However, this request was not processed on time and sent to the Department of Justice. The inmate refused the offer of a transfer to Cork Prison.

The man remained in prison until a day before his death, at which point he was transferred to the Midlands Regional Hospital when he became seriously ill after contracting covid. He died in hospital and had been visited by his family before his death, the report noted.

Under the framework, introduced in 2022, multi-disciplinary meetings and an individual plan tailored to suit the identified needs and wishes of the prisoner including routine care reviews are provided for.

The IPS spokesman said: “The suite aims to offer a compassionate space for prisoners in their final days, ensuring they do not have to face the end of their lives in a standard prison environment. 

"This setup will allow family members to spend quality time with their loved one in a quiet and appropriate environment. This development will significantly enhance the care and dignity provided to prisoners during their final moments."