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

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. 

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