The Celtic League has urged the European prisons `watchdog’ the CPT to query the current standard of care provided to inmates with psychiatric problems detained at Mountjoy prison in Ireland.
The League cites recent concerns in a report by the Mental Health Commission in Ireland and also point to earlier criticisms in a CPT report in 2007.
“Hugh Chetwynd
Head of Division (Division 3)
European Committee for the Prevention
Council of Europe
F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex
France
24/12/10
Dear Sir
Recalling that following a visit to Ireland in (2 – 13 October) 2006 and the subsequent report (published on 10/10/2007) the CPT expressed specific concern about psychiatric health care provision at Mountjoy Prison it is disappointing that people detained at Mountjoy with mental health problems are still not getting access to full and proper treatment.
I would refer the Committee to the report published earlier this year by the Mental Health Commission of Ireland which can be found at:
https://www.mhcirl.ie/Inspectorate_of_Mental_Health_Services/AC_IRs/Mountjoy_IR20\
10.pdf
In particular I draw your attention to the section headed `Conclusions’ on Page 6 of the report.
As you are aware the CPT Standards (41 – 44) sets out basic provision in relation to psychiatric care of those detained and it is clear that (on the basis of the MHC report) these are not being met.
I urge the CPT in the light of its earlier comments and bearing in mind the vulnerability of the category of prisoners involved to raise this matter immediately with the Irish government.
Yours sincerely,
J B Moffatt
Director of Information”
Report of the Mental Health Commission here:
https://www.mhcirl.ie/Inspectorate_of_Mental_Health_Services/AC_IRs/Mountjoy_IR20\
10.pdf
CPT report on Ireland (published in 2007) here:
https://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/irl/2007-40-inf-eng.pdf
CPT Standards link here:
https://www.cpt.coe.int/en/documents/eng-standards.pdf
J B Moffatt (Mr)
Director of Information
Celtic League
24/12/10