The Irish Penal Reform Trust has confirmed that solitary confinement in padded cells is to end.
A letter from the Minister for Justice conveying the decision was published at an IPRT-run conference in Dublin today.
IPRT chairperson Dr Valerie Bresnihan, said the decison was excellent news.
The former UN Human Rights Commissioner, Ms Mary Robinson addressed the conference and spoke about the importance of the media being allowed access to our prisons and being kept informed on prison policy.