Drug culture undermines prison regime

The culture of illegal drugs in Irish prisons is "rife" and undermining the regime, two separate reports have concluded.

The reports on Wheatfield Prison in Dublin and Limerick prison were published today by the Inspector of Prisons and Places of Detention Mr Justice Dermot Kinlen.

The inspection of Limerick Prison - carried out in June of last year - concluded that the drug problem was leading to "gangland-type feuds, harassment and intimidation".

As a result prisoners were being placed on protection and in segregation which was affecting the whole regime of the prison, it said.

In his report on Wheatfield Prison, Justice Kinlen said despite the fact that drugs are rife within the prison there are only two drug-free landings.

"There could and should - be more such facilities," he said.

His report also found that bullying was widespread in the establishment both between prisoners and by staff against prisoners.

His report estimated that 70 -75 per cent of prisoners have experienced bullying and that around 15 per cent of officers engage in it. Bullying by officers of foreign prisoners was said to be a particular problem.

The report concluded that "bullying of prisoners by anyone should not be tolerated and effective steps should be taken to eliminate it."

The inspector said the Wheatfield facility had a good workshop and provided quality work training and educational facilities.

It also concluded that the prison was kept very well and was "very clean".

But the report criticised the policy of keeping some prisoners in long-term segregation without any or very little stimulation or regime which it said was "soul-destroying".

"Such prisoners within the prison system should be accommodated in an area with structured programmes and proper regimes".

"The fact that there are between 8 - 20 prisoners per day on 23-hour-lock-up for their protection or for medical reasons is not good management for such a group of prisoners," it said.

In his report on Limerick Prison, Justice Kinlen said the prison was very old and the knocking down of the old wings and replacing them with new modern ones was "very welcome".

But his report said the condition in wings A and B - which are due to be replaced - remained poor and "the practice of slopping out which takes place in both of these wings is degrading for everyone involved".