‘Racial abuse, excessive force, assault’ are among 60 claims against Irish Prison Service
THE Irish Prison Service (IPS) received 60 complaints from inmates of assault, racial abuse, excessive force or other serious transgressions last year, according to new figures.
Three of these complaints were ultimately upheld following investigation, while three others were partially upheld.
A total of 18 were not while the rest were withdrawn, discontinued or are still pending.
The figures relate to the most serious type of accusations – category A complaints, which include allegations of assault, racial abuse, threats, intimidation, ill-treatment or other conduct “likely to bring discredit on the IPS”.
They were revealed by Justice Minister Helen McEntee in response to parliamentary questions from Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy.
She said data relating to less-serious complaints was not immediately available.
“Complaints vary in nature and seriousness. For example, some may relate to conditions of accommodation, quality of food, or access to services; while other complaints can be more serious such as allegations of assault, mistreatment or intimidation,” the minister said.
She said that all prisoners have a right to make a complaint and all complaints are treated with the “utmost seriousness”.
Category A complaints are investigated by people outside the prison service.
However, investigators have been unable to enter prisons since March due to the Covid19 pandemic.
This has resulted in a significant number of cases remaining outstanding.
Ms McEntee said a new complaints system had been devised following a review by a former inspector of prisons in 2016. This is expected to be introduced by the end of this year.
“I have been advised that the introduction and implementation of a new prison service complaints policy is a priority for the IPS,” she said.
“I understand that work is well advanced on measures to implement the new policy, which includes a fully integrated IT complaints system to streamline the management of all complaints, along with a new appeals process.”
A new complaints unit has been established within the IPS as part of the new system, and staff are currently being trained.
Last year, 33 investigations into category A complaints were completed in between three to six months, while one case took between six and 12 months. A total of 26 are still outstanding.
A total of 24 category A complaints were recorded to date this year.