CONDITIONS in Portlaoise prison have been criticised in the visiting committee's annual report.
Calling for the provision of in cell sanitation and wash hand basins, it says that while the situation is bad enough in the single cells in the E area, "it must be unbearable in D block where three and four prisoners are accommodated in such small spaces".
The report also calls for a proper segregation unit. "Apart from subversive groups, there are ordinary prisoners being transferred here who are disruptive and volatile. When they offend against good order and discipline, there is no suitable place to segregate them with the result that in many cases they have to be transferred elsewhere."
It says lack of employment for non subversives continues to be a problem.