Built for 185 prisoners but 322 detained in July 2010
LIMERICK Prison came for criticism in the Irish Prison Chaplains Annual Report 2010, citing that it was originally built for 185 prisoners, but on July 23 last, 322 prisoners were detained. The report said that some Irish prisons were noted as “inhumane and degrading.
The report says that “where in-cell sanitation is not available (Mountjoy, Limerick and Cork) overcrowding involves two, three, four or more prisoners in cells designed for one or two, in which prisoners have to defecate in a chamber pot in the presence of the other prisoners, in a confined space which is also their living and eating area.
“Bed capacity in Limerick is 290, and structured activity is available for a maximum of 195 prisoners”.
The Report, released last week, noted the escalating drug use, overcrowding and “degrading” conditions within the prison system.
With such overcrowding prevalent, it describes Ireland’s prison policy as a disaster and is strongly critical of the Department of Justice, the Irish Prison service and Minister for Justice, Dermot Ahern.
“Conditions are degrading, humiliating and completely unacceptable. It is not acceptable to cite cost factors, even in a recession, as an excuse to continue to incarcerate prisoners in such degrading conditions”.
It adds that “conditions in many of our prisons are an insult to the decency of any human being and an affront to the basic tenets of decency,” and claims “a culture of conformity exists within the system which resists any criticism or challenge”.
In addition, St Patrick’s Institution for young people and children (16 to 21) is highlighted as a cause of serious concern.
It is further claimed that most prisons are drug-filled.
In 2000, a national survey of prisoners found that 52 per cent had used heroin and five years later a subsequent survey found that 59 per cent of male sentenced prisoners had a drug dependency.
27,227 random drug tests were carried out in Irish prisons in 2009 and 7,309 tested positive for heroin, 6,110 tested positive for cannabis 675 tested positive for cocaine, some testing positive for more than one drug.
The report recommends the pressing need to explore non-custodial options for prisoners who have committed less serious offences.
“Making our prisons safer and drug free is in everyone’s interest. The only obstacle is political will”.
