Roundup: Reactions to the Inspector of Prisons' Report on St. Patrick’s Institution

17th October 2012

[Updated 19th Oct 2012]

On the evening of 16th October 2012, the Department of Justice released the Report on an Inspection of St. Patrick’s Institution by the Inspector of Prisons, Judge Michael Reilly.

The report details what appear to have been serious and systematic violations of the human rights of boys and young men in St Patrick’s by a minority of prison officers.

The long-awaited report, submitted by the Inspector to the Minister for Justice on 26th June 2012, gives a comprehensive account of treatment of the young people within St. Patrick’s and supports the many calls for the reform and/or closure of the prison over the years.

IPRT’s response to the report, Horrific Report on St. Patrick’s Institution raises questions over continued operation of prison - IPRT, may be read here.

More reactions and various media reports can be found below.

Press Releases:

• Department of Justice: 'Minister Shatter publishes Inspector of Prisons Report on St. Patrick's Institution'
• Department of Children and Youth Affairs: 'Minister Fitzgerald responds to Inspector of Prisons Report on St. Patrick's Institution'
• Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference: 'Prison Chaplains say children in St. Patrick's Institution cannot be ignored again'
• Irish Human Rights Commission: 'Report of Inspector of Prisons on St Patrick's Institution disturbing'

Radio Coverage:

• RTÉ Morning Ireland: Minister Shatter, IPS Director General Michael Donnellan, Ombudsman for Children Emily Logan, and IPRT Executive Director Liam Herrick comment
• RTÉ News at One: John Clinton of the Prison Officers' Association and Fr. Ciaran Enright comment
• Newstalk Breakfast - IPRT Executive Director Liam Herrick comments on the report
• RTÉ Today with Pat Kenny: Fr Peter McVerry comments

Print Coverage:

• The Irish Times:'The shame of St Patrick's'
• Irish Independent: 'Fergus Finlay: Our young people, especially those in trouble, must be both seen and heard'
• The Irish Times: 'Concerns of children's watchdog 'sneered at''
• Irish Independent: 'Warders at teen prison investigated for bullying offenders'
• Evening Herald: 'Boys stripped and bullied in St Pat's'
• The Irish Times: 'St. Patrick's report finds bullying of prisoners'and 'St. Patrick's being reformed - Shatter'
• Irish Examiner: 'Human rights of children are being violated at St. Patrick’s, says inspector'
• Irish Independent: 'Young offenders rights ignored'

Online Coverage:

• TheJournal.ie: 'Minister for Justice: All teenagers to be removed from St.Patrick’s by 2014'
• TheJournal.ie: 'Damning report into St Patrick’s finds forced stripping, excessive force and intimidation'
• BreakingNews.ie: 'Young offenders' rights 'ignored' - report'