Prison deaths - Psychiatric services are not optional

MOST of us will be surprised to learn that a prisoner has died in an Irish jail every six weeks for the last two years. This figure — 16 deaths — is not the kind of statistic that we imagine defines our society.

No matter what a prisoner has been convicted of he or she is entitled to the full protection of the State, in whatever form that protection might take.

The Department of Justice has confirmed these figures, two of which represent deaths by natural causes, two more represent deaths by misadventure. Only five inquests have been concluded, with 11 more investigations, some almost two years old, incomplete.