6th June 2011
The United Nations Committee against Torture has branded slopping out in some of Ireland's prisons degrading and inhuman treatment, RTÉ reports.
The news report highlighted the international watchdog's calls on the Government to immediately eliminate the practice, along with its recommendation that prisoners should be released to use toilet facilities at all times until all cells have in-cell sanitation.
RTÉ also detailed the Committee's concerns at continuing overcrowding and inter-prisoner violence, the lack of an independent complaints system for prisoners, and the detention of children in St Patrick's Institution, among other serious issues.
The item quotes Executive Director of the Irish Penal Reform Trust Liam Herrick:
"The expert UN committee has made clear that an independent system for investigating complaints by prisoners is the most important protection against potential mistreatment of persons in detention."
Read more:
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.