4th January 2014
The Irish Examiner's Cormac O'Keefe interviews IPRT Executive Director Liam Herrick about the factors contributing to the conditions at Cork Prison. These factors include: 'high committal numbers, crumbling facilities, serious overcrowding, and poor mental health services'.
In welcoming the new prison, Liam Herrick also raised the IPRT's concerns at the designing of new cells to accommodate two inmates, rather than the use of single cells.
Furthermore, he echoed recent statements by Cork Prison Governor Jim Collins, and IPS Head Michael Donnellan, that prisons should not be used for the mentally ill.
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Irish Examiner, 'Cork Prison hit by ‘perfect storm’ of bad conditions'
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.