Failure to improve prison conditions

The report by Judge Michael Reilly, Inspector of Prisons (Jan 18), into the conditions within Limerick Prison came as no surprise to those familiar with the prison justice system in Ireland.

Limerick prison, like so many other penal institutions in this country, represents an environment so shamefully degrading that one would think this were the 19th century and not a so-called civilised society.

It is a fact that both adults and young offenders are having to endure inhumane, disturbing and totally inappropriate Dickensian conditions while in State care.

The Minister for Justice states that he is “disappointed and shocked” by the report, and yet he has had adequate time to review many other written reports on the conditions and human-rights violations within our prisons but he has not, it seems, implemented any of the recommendations from within them.

And why, as Minister for Justice, has he not visited these prisons, which are within the responsibility of his department? Prison represents justice to many victims of crime, and to this end, standard prison life consists in the main of bang up, aggravation and boredom.

It may cost up to €70,000 a year to keep a prisoner in a secure unit. What better place for freeing offenders from their addictions? Well staffed and resourced, secure units should be doing the job that will challenge, motivate and encourage prisoners to believe that they can live a better way. But most resources seem to be concentrated on just the incarceration stage. So, when released, offenders often return to the neglectful chaos of addicted families and frequently revert to old behaviours because of a lack of support.

For real change to happen within the penal system, we need to see better long-term investment, but alas to date this government has been just promises, promises and all we are seeing are tax-increases and cuts in health, welfare and education.

They are becoming as useless and inefficient as the previous administration, except that this government doesn’t have the resources to squander away the nation’s wealth.

Years ago fairy tales all began with “once upon a time” — now we know they all begin with “if I am elected”.

John Hale

Comhairleoir óige

Campaign4youthjustice

Old Dun Leary Road

Dun Laoghaire

Co Dublin