Man in agitated state left in prison cell for ten days

A man awaiting deportation in Cloverhill prison was not moved to the Central Mental Hospital, despite being in an agitated state and despite a psychiatrist's recommendation that he be transferred. The case was outlined in the 'Annual Report 2005 of the Prison Chaplain', which is critical of housing people awaiting deportation in the prison system.

The man in question was "recently" brought to Cloverhill Prison awaiting deportation. On arrival he was in "a collapsed state and in no fit state to be committed to prison". He was then brought to Tallaght hospital and on his return to prison was placed in an observation cell as he "was seriously troubled and agitated". He remained in the cell for ten days. He was then brought back to Tallaght hospital to be treated for dehydration. He was deported to Britain and the Prison Chaplains believe that within hours he was homeless on the streets of Manchester.

The report points out that men and women awaiting deportation are housed in prisons and subject to the same regime as those on a criminal charge, despite having committed no crime. The report says that two thirds of this group spend more than 51 days in the prison regime. The report is highly critical of the practice and says: "There can be no justification of a process that humiliates and dehumanises those who are awaiting deportation."

The report is also critical of the way juvenile offenders are treated by the justice system and in prison. It says: "it is a regime that blatantly ignores established guidelines and regulations for the care of children in residential institutions." It says that the justice system is not committed to rehabilitating or reintegrating these offenders and that there is "no positive intervention".

The report also raises concerns about the continued use of padded cells, which is contrary to State policy. And it calls for an end to housing prisoners with mental illness in prisons. It says that some prisoners are left for weeks in a padded cell awaiting treatment at the Central Mental Hospital. The report also says that in some cases general medical treatment is slow.

The chaplains called for "restorative justice" as an alternative to prison. They say that the high rate of recidivism is evidence that the prison system is not working. "It is clear that the current system is dysfunctional and in need of radical change."

Emma Browne