The function of Prison Visiting Committees is to visit at frequent intervals the prison to which they are appointed and hear any complaints which may be made to them by any prisoner. They report to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence any abuses observed or found by them in the prison and any repairs which they think may be urgently needed. The Visiting Committee members have free access either collectively or individually to every part of their prison. 

The Department of Justice website has links to the 2021 reports:

• Arbour Hill Prison Visiting Committee annual report 2021
• Castlerea Prison Visiting Committee annual report 2021
• Cork Prison Visiting Committee annual report 2021
• Cloverhill Prison Visiting Committee annual report 2021
• Dóchas Centre Prison Visiting Committee annual report 2021
• Limerick Prison Visiting Committee annual report 2021
• Loughan House Prison Visiting Committee annual report 2021
• Midlands Prison Visiting Committee annual report 2021
• Mountjoy Prison Visiting Committee annual report 2021
• Portlaoise Prison Visiting Committee annual report 2021
• Shelton Abbey Prison Visiting Committee annual report 2021
• Wheatfield Prison Visiting Committee annual report 2021