“DISAPPOINTED and shocked,” was Minister Alan Shatter’s reaction to a critical report on conditions at Limerick Prison.
The report, which identifies a gang culture, shared slop-out pots, overcrowding, dirty cells and low level intimidation, was published by the Inspector of Prisons, Judge Michael Reilly.
Equally disturbed is the Irish Prison Service, whose director, general, Michael Donnellan, confirmed that they are putting an action plan in place immediately.
Minister Shatter says the main focus of ongoing concern is the number of deficiencies previously identified by the inspector and not addressed by prison management.
Hygiene and overcrowding must be dealt with immediately, according to the Irish Penal Reform.
The report identifies 55 cells without sanitation, which, he says, pose a serious hygienic risk, and he points out that dirty conditions are exacerbated by the smell of sewage.
“Slop- out pots have to be shared by some prisoners, and despite that the windows in most cells are broken, the air quality is still inadequate as prisoners tried to block the windows in winter.”
Conditions for prisoners held in B division of the prison, on 23-hour lock-down, were referred to by Judge Reilly as “inhuman and degrading”.
Goading of prisoners, threats of transfer and referencing ethnic backgrounds were also noted in the report regarding the low-level abuse and intimidation by a small number of prison officers.
With immediate effect, the report recommended escorting prisoners in cells with no sanitation to toilets, the repair and cleaning of toilets and urinals, cleaning and repair of equipment in A and B divisions and painting of cells.
Other recommendations include: Medical needs of new prisoners to be identified: high support unit for vulnerable prisoners and drug free support unit for prisoners who want to come off drugs.
Judge Reilly is also calling for the reopening of workshops and the provision of recreation areas for prisoners in A and B divisions. At the time of going to press, the governor of Limerick prison was unavailable to comment on the report.
