The Inspector of Prisons said it is repeating recommendations on the deaths of vulnerable inmates “over and over again”, but that prison authorities do not appear to be taking steps to prevent such fatalities recurring. In a hard-hitting attack, the new inspector said the failure of the Irish Prison Service (IPS) to enforce recommendations in successive death in custody reports meant they were not “receiving sufficient attention”. Ms Gilheaney made her comments in a foreword to an inspection report conducted by acting inspector Helen Casey. She said it was of “serious concern” that the “opportunity to prevent recurrence of similar deaths does not appear to be sufficiently addressed”. The Irish Penal Reform Trust said the failure of the IPS to secure evidence was of “particularly grave concern”.

Source: Irish Examiner June 15, 2019 05:26 UTC