Health in Prison

NACDA release study on drug use and access to drug treatment/support services within Irish prisons. 10th April 2014

Today the NACSA released a study on the prevalence of drug use within Irish prisons. The study aimed to determine the need for drug treatment and harm reduction services in Irish prisons by estimating the prevalence of drug use, including intravenous drug use and blood-borne viruses, amongst the prisoner population. Read more

Mental Health Foundation: 'Losing Track of Time' - report on the challenge of dementia in the ageing male prisoner population 18th October 2013

This Mental Health Foundation report explores the difficult challenge of dementia among older male prisoners. Read more

'The Prison Trap': Irish Times series on prison and mental health 17th September 2013

'The Irish Times' investigates how people with mental illness come into contact with the criminal justice system, tracing the cycle of criminalisation and undiagnosed mental health problems. Read more

New Sourcebook on Solitary Confinement released 28th May 2013

A new sourcebook on Solitary Confinement aims to encourage policy makers and prison managers to limit the use of solitary confinement to a measure of last resort Read more

Prisons and Probation Ombudsman for England and Wales report examines end of life care for prisoners 3rd April 2013

Published on 7th March 2013 the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman report reviews the response of the Prison Service in England and Wales to a growing population of elderly prisoners. Read more

UK: Report launched evaluating mental health projects in the criminal justice system 27th February 2013

Revolving Doors Agency has published a report evaluating service user views of five mental health projects in the criminal justice system. Read more

US: Criminal justice system missing opportunity to address mental health needs 31st July 2012

A new Vera Institute(USA)report, Closing the Gap, calls for early identification of mental health needs and better interagency communication between criminal justice and health services. Read more

Prison is no substitute for hospital 31st July 2012

In the second part of his report from Mountjoy Prison, Gary Culliton of The Medical Times examines how mental health is managed in the prison. Read more

Prisons are used as A & E trolleys for mentally ill, according to Clinical Director of Central Mental Hospital 19th July 2012

In the first of a two-part report by The Medical Times, Gary Culliton reveals the challenges facing severely mentally ill prisoners in Mountjoy. Read more

Increased spending on pharmaceuticals in prisons highlights vulnerability & lack of services 16th July 2012

Spending on pharmaceuticals increased by 20% from 2004 and 2010, due to significant increases in the numbers of people being sent to prison, compounded by the high prevalence of mental illness in prisoners and a lack of adequate psychiatric and drug treatment in prisons. Read more