The Committees play a vital role in ensuring the quality of accommodation, catering, medical, educational, welfare and recreational facilities reach and remain at acceptable levels. Each Visiting Committee visits the prison to which they are appointed and hears any complaints which may be made to them by the prisoners.

Drugs and staff shortages are ongoing issues of concern. The Minister for Justice stated in her press release, “The Irish Prison Service will continue to implement policies and procedures to reduce the availability and use of illicit drugs in the prison estate. Efforts are made on a continuous basis to prevent the flow of contraband into our prisons. Nevertheless the Irish Prison Service recognises that constant improvements are required in this area.

Also, the Training Unit Committee had some initial concerns regarding the introduction of Methadone but acknowledged that it is working successfully so far.