Mick Clifford: What goes on behind our high prison walls?

When an issue blows up in one of the State’s jails, much breast-beating ensues but once the eyes of the media and public are averted, the doors slam shut, writes Mick Clifford

An inquiry into serious allegations emanating from the women’s prison, the Dóchas Centre, is still ongoing. A report had been scheduled for March of last year.

A FEW weeks back, I submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the Irish Prison Service (IPS). The request was for a few documents generated on a particular date in the last year. 

Retrieving these documents should take about 10 minutes. Under the Freedom of Information Act, a reply must be furnished within 28 days. I sent my request by email at 12.19pm on the day in question. At 1.21pm, I received an acknowledgment.