Irish prisons have no addiction nurses despite thousands of inmates needing support

Irish prisons have no addiction nurses despite an estimated 4,000 inmates with addiction issues, prompting calls for urgent action. File picture: Dan Linehan

There are no addiction nurses employed by the Irish Prison Service (IPS) despite an estimated 4,000 prisoners suffering from addiction issues, the Irish Examiner has learned.

Reports have repeatedly called for the employment of addiction nurses as a vital component in the healthcare system within prisons.