Madam, – The latest report from the Council of Europe’s Commission for the Prevention of Torture has once again exposed the shameful reality of the Irish Prison system. It clearly articulates a disturbing reality of a system that is in crisis. The Government’s response to this report, and in particular the response of the Irish Prison Service as reported (Home News, February 12th) is troubling to say the least.
Their response epitomises the persistent refusal to acknowledge the gravity of the crisis within the country’s prisons. This refusal has led to the dysfunction that is at the heart of the current system.The results of this dysfunction are to be seen in the inappropriate imprisonment of people with mental illness, the inhumane imprisonment of the chronically ill, the unacceptable detention of children, the lack of sentence planning, the holding of non-Irish nationals awaiting deportation, and the dismantling of family life.
The CPT report details the nature and depth of the inhumane treatment within our prisons. The unwillingness to engage in a meaningful way with the issues raised in this report and in many other reports including our own chaplains’ reports points to a lack of leadership and vision.
This absence of real leadership has resulted in a departure from the values enshrined in the mission statement of the Irish Prison Service. As a prison chaplain, I have seen how the core values of human dignity and compassion have been sacrificed to advance political agendas that are unworthy of the Department of Justice and Law Reform and of the Irish Prison Service.
We do not need any further reports to identify the key issues. The challenge is now to ensure that the appropriate action is taken. The solution to the crisis will not be found in the provision of more prison spaces. We desperately need the kind of leadership and vision that facilitates a more enlightened penal system that is grounded in the extensive research and experience from other jurisdictions that is already available. We need policies and practice that affirm the dignity of the person, offering hope to those imprisoned and to those affected by crime. The incoming government must take on board the serious issues raised by the CPT report and address them as a matter of urgency. – Yours, etc,