The Office of the Inspector of Prisons was established pursuant to Section 30 of the Prisons Act 2007 (“the Act”) in January 2007. The Inspector of Prisons is appointed by the Minister for Justice to perform the functions conferred on her by Part 5 of the Act. Patricia Gilheaney is the current Inspector and was appointed on 7 May 2018 for a five year term in office subject to the provisions of Section 30 of the Act. The Inspector of Prisons is independent in the performance of her functions. The key function of any inspectorate body is to carry out inspections and this is equally true for the role of Inspector of Prisons. Section 31(1) of the Act places an obligation on the Inspector of Prisons to carry out regular inspections of prisons. Although the legislation does not define ‘regular inspections’, international practice indicates a full inspection every three years as the sector norm.

Castlerea Prison - On the date of the visit there were 64 men awaiting access to addiction services. Of these, one was accessing medically assisted symptomatic detoxification, and 20 were accessing methadone substitution or maintenance programmes. At the time of the visit Castlerea Prison did not operate drug rehabilitation programmes.

Cork Prison - The Governor provided the Inspectorate with details in relation to the provision of addiction support and counselling services on the day of the Inspectorate visit to those in custody in Cork prison.

• Number of prisoners accessing appropriate drug rehabilitation programmes - 176 MQI Counselling Service, 8 Accessed residential treatment upon release, 2 attended Mountjoy Drug Treatment Programme.
• Number of prisoners accessing medically assisted symptomatic detoxification - 578 including 21 on day methadone detoxification. 416 (Librium/ Epilim / Non Opiate detox).
• Number of prisoners accessing methadone substitution or maintenance programmes - 176 (Methadone Maintenance) 1 (Suboxone / Subutex)

Limerick Prison - The Inspectorate was notified that during the year Limerick Prison did not have any drug rehabilitation programmes on offer. Counselling services were offered to prisoners. On 26 November, there were 57 prisoners accessing medically assisted symptomatic detoxification and a further 35 accessing methadone substitution or maintenance programmes.

Loughan House - During 2019 there were no prisoners in Loughan House accessing drug rehabilitation programmes, medically assisted symptomatic detoxification or methadone substitution/maintenance programmes.

Mountjoy Prison - On the day of the visit, 32 men were accessing drug rehabilitation programmes; four were accessing medically assisted symptomatic detoxification; and 193 of the men were accessing methadone substitution or maintenance programmes.

Mountjoy Female Prison (Dóchas Centre) - The Governor reported that throughout 2019 there were one to two prisoners a month accessing appropriate drug rehabilitation programmes. On the date of the oversight visit, there were 69 prisoners accessing methadone substitution or maintenance programmes. In addition to the above, prisoners were also able to avail of medically assisted symptomatic detoxification. On 19 December, there were 29 prisoners on Valium detox and two on Librium detox. Furthermore, an estimated 25% of the prison population was on Methadone detox in 2019.

Portlaoise Prison - On the date of the oversight the Inspectorate was advised that there were 14 men accessing drug rehabilitation programmes, with a relapse prevention course scheduled for January 2020. None of the men were availing of medically assisted symptomatic detoxification and seven were accessing methadone substitution or maintenance programmes.

Shelton Abbey - There were no prisoners accessing drug rehabilitation, detoxification or any other type of addiction support services on the day of the oversight visit. However, prisoners could link in with Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI) if they required support.