Limerick PrisonThe number of foreign national prisoners in the jail had increased to such an extent that the governor was provided with translators.
Drugs were available and inmates who were drug-free when imprisoned risked being addicted on release. Many mentally ill people from the Limerick area were ending up in the prison. The committee hoped imprisonment was not being used as a "containment area" for the mentally ill.
Arbour Hill Prison
One mentally ill prisoner deemed to be in need of psychiatric care in a hospital setting was forced to wait for 47 days before a hospital place was found.
The committee noted only two of eight places on the sex offenders' programme had been filled and questioned if monies would be better spent on a less intensive programme catering for more inmates.
Shelton Abbey
Almost 600 inmates were transferred to Shelton Abbey last year, 200 more than in 2006. This had led to a significant rise in the numbers absconding, to 72.
The committee was concerned about the inadequate selection process for transferring inmates to the open jail.
It noted a new building catering for 44 inmates in single room accommodation had been completed but not opened due to staff shortages.
Cloverhill Prison
Overcrowding was a "continuous concern" and was causing tension. Some 100 inmates of 400 were foreign nationals.
Many were held for short periods ahead of deportation. The committee said a holding facility rather than a prison might be more suitable.
Drugs remained a problem. While some inmates have been convicted for mobile phone possession the sentences handed down by the courts were too lenient.
Wheatfield Prison
Non-drug users and family members were under pressure to smuggle in drugs and felt threatened.
Services for inmates had been reduced in the past two years due to staff absenteeism and new staffing arrangements. While many educational and recreational services had been affected, the library took the brunt. Some 459 library sessions were run last year while 478 were cancelled due to staffing shortages.
Cork Prison
The committee noted a "constant" overcrowding problem. Accommodation was outdated and the lack of in-cell sanitation necessitated slopping out which the Committee for the Prevention of Torture
had negatively commented on after visiting the jail. Mentally ill patients referred to the
Central Mental Hospital were being held at the jail for very long periods because no places could be found at the hospital.
Mountjoy Prison
The committee noted that in 2006 it was concerned at levels of overcrowding when the prison population was 515. Last year it increased to 570.
This had resulted in increased tensions.
Drug use was still a problem with non-drug users being pressured to bring in drugs.
The Irish Prison Service needed to address the issue of mentally ill prisoners being housed in a prison setting.
Midlands Prison
A part-time psychologist post was discontinued, leaving one full-time psychologist to treat a prison population of more than 450. This was "wholly inadequate".
The committee said if the service was not improved, drug- and alcohol-addicted prisoners may seek compensation in the future. The chronic shortage of beds at the Central Mental Hospital was resulting in "seriously psychiatrically disturbed" people being held in all prisons.