The Inspector's first annual report, published yesterday, comprises five separate inspection reports, one on each of the following prisons - Mountjoy, Cloverhill, Limerick and Portlaoise - and one general report.
The inspection reports are based on visits to the prisons between November 2002 and April 2003.
The main recommendations for each prison include:
Cloverhill
Action should be taken to stop illegal drugs being thrown over the boundary wall
Lack of background information on prisoners on committal: Irish Prison Service to pursue meetings with the Garda and Courts Service to resolve this problem
Amend the Criminal Justice Act, 1960, to allow remand prisoners to be granted temporary release in special circumstances
Juveniles should not be mixed with adult prisoners
All committals should receive physical medical examination by a doctor
Opening of new educational facility should take place as soon as possible
Additional activities needed to occupy the prisoners' time and reduce boredom
Recommendations of fire vulnerability study need to be implemented as soon as possible
Asylum-seekers should not be held in prison while awaiting decisions regarding Irish citizenship.
Limerick
Psychiatric care should be on a par with that provided in the general community
Two additional punch bags with appropriate quality gloves needed for gymnasium
Expansion of entire library area
Provision of one medical area with new waiting room attached
Governor should keep the matter of alleged bullying among staff under review.
Portlaoise
Appointment of additional full-time probation and welfare officer
Citizen's advice facility to be established at the prison
Appointment of doctor, psychologist, updating of files and facilities and supply of medicine be expedited immediately by the Prison Service
Local management to install another telephone for the use of prisoners on E2 landing
Prison Service should address the issue of prisoners with mental problems being detained in prisons.
Local management to have toilet/shower facilities in exercise yard brought up to an acceptable level of hygiene
Prison Service should examine the situation regarding staff training in general
In view of the age and condition of the prison, consideration to be given to rebuilding the whole premises. The Inspector "strongly recommends" the demolition of the prison
Provision of an adequate and complete CCTV system immediately
Mountjoy
Televisions to be provided in all cells as soon as possible
The main prison to be replaced, not refurbished, as a matter of urgency. In the meantime, the sanitary systems within the prison to be brought up to an acceptable standard
Outside contract to be placed for pest control to eradicate and further control pests, particularly mice and cockroaches
Governor should investigate if alleged practice of reading documents between legal representatives and prisoners when on professional visits to the prison is correct
Appointment of healthcare manager, as recommended in the report on Prison Health Care Services, 2001, to be implemented
Appointment of two additional psychologists
Electricity supply generator for the main prison to be upgraded or replaced as a matter of urgency
Prisoners who perform cleaning duties within the toilet areas should get some extra recognition
Refuse waste bags stored at the end of landings and at some of the exits from wings to be removed more frequently to disposable area
The general shower area to be refurbished and brought up to a reasonable standard
Prisoners should receive two changes of underwear, socks, shirt etc per week, and have a shower at least twice a week
Provision of drug-free area/wing in the main prison
Policy recommendations
Office of the Inspector of Prisons and Places of Detention to be established as a statutory, independent unit
Department of Health and Children should take responsibility for any prisoners with psychiatric illness, personality disorders and other disabilities
The Probation and Welfare Service should be set up as an independent agency
Psychologists to be provided immediately for Mountjoy and Portlaoise Prisons
Bail applications should be done by video-link, as in Northern Ireland, or by transferring the prisoners to Cloverhill and keeping them there until their applications are processed in the nearby courthouse
Position of fire engineer, or officer, for the Prison Service should be filled forthwith. Prisons should be under the control of local fire authorities