A summary of the prison chaplains' annual report.
On prison deaths:
"The enormity of these tragedies points to a daily reality of violence in Irish prisons where people live and work in a hostile environment, with a climate of constant fear and tension."
On the families of prisoners:
"The prison regime, itself, does nothing to support the family unit that is shattered by the imprisonment of one of its members...We regularly witness the devastation experienced when families of those imprisoned are not facilitated at key moments such as deaths, First Communions, and sickness."
On the rehabilitative effect of prisons:
"In many ways they have become the warehouse for the vulnerable, offering little or no hope to many of those imprisoned there or indeed to the wider community that may be under the illusion that imprisonment will effect change."
On sexual offenders:
"Without in any way diminishing the gravity of sexual offending or the pain caused to victims, we need to ask ...whether prison is the place to deal with it. This complex issue will not be resolved by a single one-track response."
On prisoners with mental illness:
"We have consistently asked that mentally ill people be cared for in hospitals and not committed to prisons. That we continue to do so is a matter of serious concern."
On media coverage of prisoners:
"Our experience suggests that irresponsible media coverage often undermines the genuine efforts of many to address key issues in their lives."
Source: Irish Prison Chaplains' Annual Report 2006/2007