Irish Examiner: Almost 3,000 prisoners waiting for psychology and addiction services
1st September 2024
On 1 September 2024, the Irish Examiner reported that almost 3,000 prisoners were waiting for psychology and addiction services.
Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) Executive Director Saoirse Brady responded to the figures. She said that the current situation in prisons is concerning as prison is inherently traumatic but is compounded when it is overcrowded.
The Irish Prison Service is failing to reach its own targets for the number of people who should be seen by a psychologist. In 2022, the target was 2,000 prisoners but just 1,303 people were seen. Last year, the target was raised to 2,200 but the real figure fell short once again with 1,627 prisoners seen in 2023.
IPRT is calling for further investment in prison services in the upcoming budget (Budget 2025) to resource prison psychology services and addiction counselling. There needs to be an investment of at least €1m in mental health and addiction services within the prison system to address some of those basic needs that people have.
Related items:
- Lack of clarity over budget funding for addiction and mental health supports in prisons
- IPRT presented to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration on Pre-legislative scrutiny of the General Scheme: Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025
- Children's Ombudsman calls to extend youth justice sanctions to adults under 24
- Prisons today Alternative sentences for most prisoners? Podcast Interview on Near FM with Saoirse Brady
- Niamh McCormack spoke to Angela Noone-Faull of CRCfm in Mayo on The Chatroom,
