The Irish Prison Service (IPS) annual report for 2006 was published in December 2007.1 In 2006 there were 12,157 committals to prison: 5,642 under sentence; 5,311 on remand; 1,196  under immigration law; and eight for contempt of court. These committals related to 9,700 individuals. Of the 5,642 sentenced committals, 113 were for intoxication (by alcohol) in a public place and 395 for drug offences (up 29% on the 2005 figure).

• Seven nurse officers and five prison officers were allocated to dedicated drug treatment teams in Cloverhill and Wheatfield prisons.
• An additional consultant in addiction was provided to improve the quality and co-ordination of drug treatment in prisons.
• A contract was awarded to Merchants Quay Ireland to provide access for prisoners to addiction counselling (1,000 hours per week).
• The Dormant Accounts Fund financed four community groups to provide addiction counselling and other supports to prisoners while in prison and on release in the community.
• A consultant-led infectious diseases service was contracted from St James’s Hospital to provide treatment to prisoners who suffer from infectious diseases. It is hoped to expand this service to other sites.
• A HSE consultant in forensic psychiatry in the Western Region was contracted to provide dedicated sessions to Limerick Prison.
• The second contracted pharmacy service was introduced to Loughran House (an open prison) in April 2006.
• A tender for dedicated pharmacy services to provide drug treatment was developed and awarded. This will provide pharmacy services in a number of closed prisons.
• The psychology service in Irish prisons increased its team to seven clinical psychologists, eight counselling psychologists and one forensic psychologist.
• Further work was undertaken to promote and facilitate the use of the prison medical record system through training and support, and the development of changes based on user feedback.

• More secure prisoner visiting arrangements, which involve greater control over the number and identity of visitors, and enhanced supervision of such visits
• Enhanced perimeter security through improved netting and closer co-operation with the Garda Síochána
• Enhanced technology for searching of cells and prison property, resulting in improved detection and seizure of contraband
• The introduction of dogs to detect drugs on people entering prisons and to aid searches within prisons.