Prison Medical Services in Ireland

Information

While someone is in prison in Ireland, they can expect to be provided with medical, dental, psychiatric and psychological care. A Director who is a medical specialist heads the Prison Medical Service.

In November, 1999 the Minister for Justice and Law Reform established a group to Review the Structure and Organisation of Prison Health Services in Ireland. Members of this group visited all the prisons and places of detention administered by the Irish Prison Service and consulted with the public. In 2000, the final report entitled 'Report of the Group to Review the Structure and Organisation of Prison Health Services in Ireland (pdf)' was published.

Section 35 of the Prisons Act 2007 came into effect in May 2007 and provides for the making of prison rules. Prison rules set out the the various conditions in prisons in Ireland and include all aspects of admission, registration, accommodation, visiting rights, health, discipline, education, etc. The existing prison rules in Ireland date back to 1947 and will remain in force until replaced by new prison rules. The new Act extends the range of matters covered by prison rules. The following information sets out the current rules regarding prison medical services in Ireland.

Medical Services

Part-time medical doctors provide medical services in all prisons. Medical officers are responsible for medical welfare. They must pay particular attention to prisoners with psychiatric problems.

Prison medical orderlies assist prison doctors and professionally qualified nurses have also been introduced into a number of prisons over the last 18 months.

If a prisoner needs hospital treatment, they will be transferred to outside hospitals, after a recommendation by the Prison Doctor. They may also be taken to local hospitals for outpatient treatment if it is required.

Psychiatric Services

If someone needs psychiatric treatment while they are in prison, this will be provided by visiting psychiatrists employed by the Health Service Executive (HSE).

If the psychiatrist and the Prison Doctor consider that you are in need of in-patient psychiatric treatment, you may be transferred to either the Central Mental Hospital or a District Mental Hospital.

Counselling and care support will also be provided after your release from prison at the HSE's day centre at Usher's Island in Dublin.

Psychology Service

If a prisoner needs psychological treatment while in prison, it will be provided by the Psychology Service, which consists of 10 psychologists, including the Head of the Psychology Service.

The main function of the Psychology Service is to provide prisoners with on-going therapy and supportive counselling. This counselling aims to increase awareness of problems and help to develop alternative strategies for dealing with criminal behaviour.

The Psychology Service also provides a variety of programmes for sex offenders and a Cognitive Skills course for prisoners.

Dental Services

Dental treatment is provided on a similar basis to that available in the general community under the relevant Social Welfare Acts. In the Dublin prisons, dental services are provided by means of a contract arrangement with the Dublin Dental Hospital for the provision of dental staff to the prisons, while, elsewhere, local dentists provide the service.