RTÉ: Prison overcrowding making drug problem worse, says Irish Penal Reform Trust
14th August 2024
On 14 August 2024, Irish Penal Reform Trust Executive Director, Saoirse Brady, spoke to RTÉ in the wake of the news of a number of ten people in prison being hospitalised with suspected drug overdoses.
Saoirse outlined that overcrowding was contributing to some of the issues with drugs in prison. Yesterday, capacity was 5,017 over all prisons - which equals 112% capacity, and in Portlaoise, this was 107% yesterday.
Saoirse also said that a lot of people in the prison system have an existing addiction and part of the problem is that they do not always get the support they need while in prison.
"There is a health-led approach in the community to substance misuse, and the emphasis should be on that within the prison estate as well, taking into account the security considerations that are there. Drug use in prison does happen and a zero tolerance approach doesn't always work," she said.
Related items:
- Council of Europe Human Rights Watchdog Calls for Urgent Action Amid Concerns of Inhuman and Degrading Treatment in Irish Prisons - IPRT
- Prison Visiting Committee Annual Reports 2023
- UN COMMITTEE CLEAR THAT THE STATE MUST TAKE URGENT ACTION TO ADDRESS ISSUES AROUND WOMEN IN PRISON
- Invitation to Tender: Rethinking Remand - Exploring current pre-trial detention practices and examining potential alternatives that protect individuals’ rights and reduce unnecessary detention
- RTÉ: Prison overcrowding 'extremely concerning', says Irish Penal Reform Trust
