The Annual Reports of the Prison Visiting Committees for Cork, Limerick, Arbour Hill, Midlands and Shelton Abbey prisons were published on 7 June. Visiting committees are appointed to visit prisons at regular intervals and hear complaints made by any prisoner. They report any abuses and urgent repairs to the Minister for Justice.
The Visiting Committee to Cork Prison was particularly critical of the facility, describing “constant and unacceptable overcrowding”. They also cited “archaic and Dickensian” conditions in parts of the prison, describing the prison as “unfit for purpose”. The Committee expressed concern over the treatment of mentally ill prisoners, calling the facilities in place for housing prisoners with mental and psychological difficulties “totally inadequate”. They added that the conditions leave the Prison Service’s stated commitment to human dignity “seriously undermined”.
Other reports were more positive, noting considerable efforts to reduce prison overcrowding in Limerick prison, and commending the medical team in the Midlands Prison. The reports praised the relationship between staff and prisoners in Arbour Hill stating, “Arbour Hill Prison is very well managed, promoting an ethos of constructive support in a calm and caring atmosphere. The relationship between staff and prisoners although professional, is also a very humane and caring one.”
However, the Arbour Hill Visiting Committee were highly critical of the lack of post-release support for prisoners stating, “As a civilised and caring society there is an ethical, moral and indeed practical need to provide structures and supports for vulnerable people on discharge from custodial care.” The report observes that prisoners returning to the community are sometimes the victims of persecution and harassment and noted that post-release supports are essential in preventing recidivism.
Click here to view a press release from the Irish Penal Reform Trust summarising the Visiting Committees' reports.
The Government plans to expand Cork Prison and build a new facility, with plans to house two inmates per cell. The Irish Penal Reform Trust has said that having two inmates per cell goes against European prison rules, and further that the development plans generally are at odds with recent policy recommendations to move away from penal expansion.
Click here to read an article in The Examiner about the Cork Prison expansion.
Click here to read an IPRT press release about the Cork Prison expansion plans.