Irish Penal Reform Trust

Irish Examiner: Covid-19 has ‘compounded’ mental health issues for prisoners

19th March 2021

Following confirmation by Justice Minister Helen McEntee that psychology and addiction services in prisons have been reduced over the past year because of COVID-19 restrictions, IPRT comment featured in reporting by the Irish Examiner.

The Minister also confirmed that more than 1,200 prisoners were on a waiting list to access psychology services. IPRT Executive Director Fíona Ní Chinnéide commented:

“It’s a huge concern at a time when men and women in prison are spending very long hours in their cell, with reduced access to schools, workshops, or the gym, and when they have effectively had no in-person family visits for almost a year now… 

“Some men and women haven’t seen their small children in a year so it is extremely difficult at a time when there is an acknowledgment in the general community that more mental health supports are needed.”

Read the article in full on the Irish Examiner website here.

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