Prisoners who failed or missed drug tests allowed to keep special privileges

Audit of the Irish Prison Service’s incentivised regime system found that in half of 201 cases involving failed or missed drug tests,  the prisoner was not downgraded as required under policy

At some jails, discretion had been used where a prisoner had made a 'once-off slippage', while in other cases, inmates were moved from an enhanced to a 'standard' regime instead of the lower 'basic' level.

Prisoners who failed or missed drug tests were allowed to keep special jail privileges including increased visits, better accommodation, and a higher chance of getting temporary release.

An audit of the Irish Prison Service’s (IPS) incentivised regime system found that in half of 201 cases involving failed or missed drug tests,  the prisoner was not downgraded properly as required under policy.