THERE were two allegations of rape involving prisoners at Arbour Hill prison in Dublin last year, according to the annual report of the jail's visiting committee. The prison houses mainly sex offenders. According to the committee there were two "allegations of rape by inmates against other inmates" during the year. This was "a new and sinister development, certainly within the confines of this prison", the report said.
"The committee accepts that in a prison environment it may never be possible to totally eliminate this type of accusation, however, every step possible must be taken in an attempt to reduce the likelihood of such occurrences."