What the visiting committee annual reports said.
Mountjoy Prison
There were "many more than 400" inmates at the jail, meaning overcrowding was a regular feature. The practice of sleeping prisoners on the floors of cells was "deplorable in 2005".
Cutbacks had forced the curtailment of library opening hours and the provision of evening classes and workshops. There was "an urgent need for extra staffing".
The prison was "the largest methadone clinic in the country". Other prisons refused to take drug-addicted inmates, resulting in high numbers of addicts being housed in Mountjoy.
It was still "relatively easy" to get drugs in the jail. Drug-free prisoners and their families were threatened that they must smuggle drugs in for other inmates.
Sniffer dogs and more CCTV cameras should be introduced to reduce availability. Garda patrols should be increased around the jail perimeter walls and screened visits should also be put in place
The Dochas Centre women's prison was overcrowded to such an extent that if current trends continue "the purpose of this top-class facility may be defeated".
Midlands Prison
Alcohol and drug rehabilitation services should be improved because "prisoners may seek compensation in the future if this [rehabilitation] is not achieved while in prison, prior to release".
Sniffer dogs were needed to prevent drugs entering the jail. Equipment to block mobile phone signals should be introduced.
Cork Prison
Overcrowding remained a problem last year. One prisoner was "viciously assaulted" by another with a blade but refused to co-operate with gardaí. Some members of the public used ladders at the perimeter walls to try and get drugs into the prison yard. A number of inmates engaged in a short dirty protest and hunger strike.
The committee was prevented from visiting other jails during the year due to "financial constraints".
Castlerea Prison
Overcrowding continued to be a significant problem. The remand wing was designed to hold 20 offenders, but regularly held 35. Inmates with psychiatric problems and suicidal tendencies were being committed to the prison. This was problematic for inmates and exposed staff to unacceptable "risk and trauma". There was no psychologist. Access to probation officers was poor, limiting inmates' chances of remaining crime free on release.
Limerick Prison
The committee was "concerned that the prison medical officer is not fulfilling the patient contract hours as provided for in his contract".
Psychiatric services were inadequate. There was no psychologist. Rehabilitative programmes had been closed due to cost cutting.
Portlaoise Prison
The committee was "very disappointed" that Block D, which was condemned 40 years ago as being unfit to hold inmates, was still being used. The "classroom set-up" was "poor".
St Patrick's Institution
Workshops that were closed in January 2004 for health and safety reasons and staff shortages remained closed throughout last year. Defects highlighted with the new special observation cells had to be rectified. This was done without consultation with staff. This was a concern. There was no segregation of children aged under-18 from the 18 to 21-year-old inmates. Addressing this should be a priority. Some staff positions were vacant.
Loughan House
Twenty inmates escaped from custody last year. All were returned to the open prison after a short period. There was no psychologist at the prison throughout the year.
Cloverhill Prison
There had been "disturbing" violent incidents in 2005. One prisoner was "severely beaten" in the exercise yard. There had also been a "dreadful attack" on two prison officers. The new education unit had been completed early last year, but was still not open by end of year. Staff shortages had also caused the closure of the library.
Arbour Hill
The committee was "perturbed" by the poor take-up of the sex offender treatment programme. Completion of the treatment course should enhance the possibility of early release. The absence of a dedicated psychiatrist "remains a cause for concern".
Shelton Abbey
There was no psychologist at the prison throughout the year.