Health in Prison
IPRT believes that responsibility for the provision of healthcare should be transferred from the IPS to the HSE. In addition to this, IPRT believes that those with mental illness should be diverted away from the criminal justice system and should be treated within a community setting, where possible.
This section includes posts on health in prison, including mental health and drug policy.
Prisons and COVID-19: resources
1st April 2020
IPRT is curating useful resources and international guidance regarding COVID-19 and imprisonment here.
Human Rights Law Centre (Australia): Stopping Solitary Confinement
31st March 2020
The Human Rights Law Centre (HRLC) in Australia has published 'Stopping Solitary Confinement', a submission to the Royal Commission into Violence, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability. The HRLC writes specifically about the use of solitary confinement during COVID-19.
World Health Organisation publishes guidance on preventing Covid-19 outbreak in prisons
23rd March 2020
The WHO has published an interim guidance document on preparedness, prevention and control of COVID-19 in prisons and other places of detention. The document aims to assist countries in developing plans in response to the international Covid-19 outbreak.
IPRT Submission to the Joint Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community
6th August 2019
This short submission primarily focuses on mental health issues affecting Travellers in the prison system
ECtHR: Detention conditions and treatment of prisoners
5th July 2019
The European Court of Human Rights has published a factsheet on detention conditions and treatment of prisoners outlines findings of inhuman and/or degrading treatment of prisoners.
Penal Reform International launch Global Prison Trends 2019
21st May 2019
Global Prison Trends 2019 is the fifth edition in PRI’s annual flagship Global Prison Trends series which identifies topical developments and challenges in criminal justice, and prison policy and practice.
Scotland: Mental Health and Wellbeing of Young People in Custody
21st May 2019
The Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research (SCCJR) has published a review identifying ways to improve the health and wellbeing of young people in custody.
UK: First cross-government suicide prevention plan
22nd January 2019
UK Government has published its first cross-government suicide prevention plan with the objective of reducing deaths from suicide through the use of new technology and data.
Joint Committee on Future of Mental Health Care: Final report
18th October 2018
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Future of Mental Health Care has published its final report, with a core recommendation of increasing the number of acute beds from 22 to 50 per 100,000 over 3 years.
Self-Harm in Irish Prisons 2017 Report
4th October 2018
The first report on episodes of self-harm recorded in Irish Prisons has been published.
