Overcrowding and sanitary conditions in Dublin’s Mountjoy Prison are unacceptable, according to a new report launched today.
An independent visiting committee said drug abuse and staff absenteeism is a major problem in the prison and that its buildings are unsuitable for the detention of inmates.
The committee 2007 annual report on the Mountjoy and Dochas, the committee said while improvements continue to be made to both the toilet areas and cells, the benefits are often negated by the necessity to double up in cells due to overcrowding.
"This occurs far too often," it said.
"In December numbers exceeded 570 — we noted a level of 515 in our last report. Whilst A wing has been recommissioned since our last report we find these levels unacceptable and contribute to a tense atmosphere within the prison.
"In 2007 for human beings to still be without adequate sanitary facilities in their cells — the same cells that they eat and sleep in — is totally unacceptable.
"It is very important for all concerned to remember, that the person is detained to deprive them of their freedom for the duration of their sentence, not for further punishment."
Mountjoy has an average bed capacity of 105.5 per cent, the highest of any prison in the jurisdiction.
The committee urged Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern to find more appropriate accommodation for illegal non-nationals who, in some cases, can be held at the prisons for up to eight weeks.
It also raised concerns over the huge numbers of inmates jailed not paying fines and debts when prisons are overcrowded.
Problems associated with staff sick days have been exacerbated by new work practices introduced in 2006.
"These issues remain and the lack of staff is a constant refrain which curtails the facilities available in the prison," the report read.
"We would appeal to the minister to provide adequate staffing levels to ensure that prison services are not affected."
It found while overcrowding does not exist in the adjoining women's prison — the Dochas Centre — drug use remains a major problem in both Dochas and Mountjoy.
"Last year we highlighted the pressure being brought on non drug users to bring in drugs, this sadly still pertains," it continued.
"The committee recognises the human benefits of unscreened visits. We equally recognise that these visits are a conduit for drugs entering the prison.
"Whilst this is not a clear cut issue, the committee believe anyone found positive in a drug test should be put on screened visits until they are drug free. Those abiding by the rules should enjoy the right to unscreened visits."
The prison's rehabilitation programmes were also criticised — with just 26 per cent of the male population involved for more than 10 hours a week compared to 46 per cent in the Dochas Centre.
Elsewhere, a team visiting Castlerea Prison in Co Roscommon raised concerns about high levels of overcrowding.
"The cell population for the prison is 215 but during the year there was a high of 253 in custody, which put enormous pressure on both staff and prisoners who ended up sleeping on mattresses on the floor," the committee said.
"The remand prisoners, of which there are 20 places, hit an all-time high during the year of 63.
"The committee is aware of the new remand unit to be operational in 2008 and it was hoped this would relieve the pressure that was put on spaces in 2007."
PA