A visiting committee is appointed to each Irish prison under the Prisons (Visiting Committees) Act 1925 and the Prisons (Visiting Committees) Order 1925. Members of the 12 visiting committees are appointed by the Minister for Justice for a term not exceeding three years. The function of prison visiting committees is to visit, at frequent intervals, the prison to which they are appointed and hear any complaints that may be made to them by any prisoner. They report to the Minister for Justice regarding any abuses observed or found, and any repairs which they think are urgently needed. Prison visiting committee members have free access, either collectively or individually, to every part of the prison to which their committee is appointed. Information from prison visiting committee reports relating to drug use in prisons for 2021 (n=8) is summarised below.1

Mountjoy Prison, Dublin

In its report, the Mountjoy Visiting Committee noted that prisoners expressed a mood of frustration, hopelessness, and at times anger about conditions of their custody, including the prevalence of drug abuse, intimidation, and absence of adequate drug treatment services. The entry of substances into the prison, despite the efforts of staff, is an ongoing feature for the lives of detained prisoners. In addition, there were reports in 2021 of intimidation of family members in the community and a mirroring in the prison of coercion in the context of drug use and debts. The committee has consistently highlighted in past annual reports the availability of illicit drugs in the prison and recommended the continued high priority to reducing supply into the prison.

Dóchas Centre, Dublin

The Dóchas Visiting Committee observed that, as in 2020, there has been a noticeable decrease in the presence of drugs and problems associated with drugs in the prison in 2021, which is a positive development. This is likely in part because of the Covid-19 restrictions and the more structured regime within the prison.

Wheatfield Prison, Dublin

The Wheatfield Place of Detention Visiting Committee’s report observed that drugs thrown over the perimeter wall are a daily scourge for the Prison Service and prisoners who are compelled to pick up these drugs in the yard. Although the Wheatfield yards are large spaces covered with netting, there is a continued struggle to prevent drugs and objects being thrown over the perimeter wall. The committee also felt that the continual drug-throws undermine the prison methadone programme. The report suggested that a more permanent solution with regard to the numerous State-owned lands at the back of the prison could assist in drastically reducing drug-throws.

Cloverhill Prison, Dublin

In its report, the Cloverhill Visiting Committee noted that while the continued commitment of prison authorities to intercept the supply of drugs, particularly in the exercise yard, is commendable, the culture of drugs within the prison remains a reality. The committee recommended that additional support be provided to the Addiction Counselling Service for this purpose. Moreover, it again recommended the provision of a drug-free area. 

Arbour Hill Prison, Dublin

The Arbour Hill Visiting Committee’s report noted that Arbour Hill remains fully committed to ensuring that the prison remains drug-free. All prisoners are fully aware that they are expected to be 100% drug-free and access to the prison’s facilities and services depend on this. Random drug testing is part of the day-to-day routine at the prison.

Loughan House, Co. Cavan

The Loughan House Visiting Committee heard that face-to-face addiction and counselling sessions were suspended due to Covid-19 restrictions in 2021. However, counselling staff made themselves available via a telephone-based service. This was coupled with the fact that prisoners in Loughan House are permitted their own mobile phone, meaning that Merchants Quay Ireland addiction team specialists remained fully accessible throughout the year.

Shelton Abbey Prison, Co. Wicklow

The Shelton Abbey Visiting Committee’s report noted that a full-time addiction counsellor is on-site, since being appointed in 2017. All prisoners are seen on entry, regardless of charge, and are assessed for current or previous addiction issues. They are offered one-to-one addiction counselling if required or, in the absence of a psychology service, are offered general counselling for issues other than addiction.

Midlands Prison, Co. Laois

The Midlands Prison Visiting Committee was informed that a general practitioner (GP) addiction specialist holds weekly sessions as part of the drug treatment service within the prison. In addition, the Addiction Counselling Service in the prison is supported by Merchants Quay Ireland and includes one-to-one counselling and assessments.

1    Department of Justice (2023) Prison Visiting Committee annual reports 2021 [Arbour Hill Prison, Castlerea Prison, Cloverhill Prison, Cork Prison, Dóchas Centre, Limerick Prison, Loughan House, Midlands Prison, Mountjoy Prison, Portlaoise Prison, Shelton Abbey Prison, Wheatfield Prison]. Dublin: Department of Justice. Available from:
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/39024/