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.

Key Issues for Drugs Policy in Irish Prisons

23rd June 2008

This paper, by the Drug Policy Action Group, analyses the key issues arising from current drugs policy in Irish prisons.

Patients not Prisoners: Report on the Central Mental Hospital Round Table Meeting

30th January 2008

This report from the Central Mental Hospital Carers’ Group outlines concerns regarding the proposed relocation of the Central Mental hospital facility to a site beside the new prison at Thornton Hall in North Dublin.

Criminal Justice Drug Policy in Ireland

17th November 2006

This paper outlines the need in Ireland for a review of the effectiveness of Ireland's present criminal justice drug policy.

Keeping Drugs Out of Prison: Drug Policy and Strategy

31st December 2005

A report which delves into the Irish Prison Service’s policies and strategies for keeping drugs out of prisons.

Incarceration of Drug Offenders: Costs and Impacts

30th June 2005

The Beckley Foundation Drug Policy Programme (BFDPP) is an initiative dedicated to providing a rigorous, independent review of the effectiveness of national and international drug policies.

Harm reduction policies and programs for persons involved in the criminal justice system

31st May 2005

A document intended to inform the implementation of policies and programs for promoting the reduction of harms associated with substance abuse.

A Review of Harm Reduction Approaches in Ireland and Evidence from the International Literature

30th May 2004

This 2002 report considers the evidence and key findings of Dublin City University, commissioned by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD), in its review of International Literature on Harm Reduction and of services available in Ireland.

Classifications of drug treatment and social reintegration and their availability in EU + Norway

31st December 2003

A report laying out the concepts used as guidelines for classifying drug treatment facilities and their treatment activities.

A review of the evidence-base for harm reduction approaches to drug use

31st December 2003

An overview addressing understandings of harm reduction and summarising its key principles before going on to consider the strength and nature of the evidence of the effectiveness of various forms of ‘harm reduction’ intervention.

"To Be, or not to Be, in observation cells?"

10th September 2003

A discussion paper on the introduction of observation cells to the Irish prison system for mentally ill and suicidal prisoners. By Dr. Valerie Bresnihan

Key Issues