merrion street

The Department of Justice and Equality notes the judgment delivered today by the Supreme Court in the case of Gary Simpson v Governor of Mountjoy Prison, and others.

The Department and the Irish Prison Service are studying the judgment carefully, in consultation with the State Claims Agency, who are handing similar cases.

The practice of ‘slopping out’ has been virtually eliminated in Irish Prisons, and the Irish Prison Service, and the Government as a whole, remain fully committed to the total elimination of the practice, with work continuing through the Capital Plan to achieve that goal as quickly as possible. 

It is important to note that in-cell sanitation is now in place for 99% of prisoners in Irish prisons.

The Government is making significant capital investment in the prison estate nationwide, to ensure that it provides safe, secure and appropriate custody for all.  The Capital Budget of the Irish Prisons Service was €32.3 million this year and will increase further to €46.7 million in 2020. The capital strategy aims to fully eliminate the practice colloquially known as ‘slopping out’, through provision of in-cell sanitation throughout the prison estate.  Relevant works completed to date include installation of in-cell sanitation at Mountjoy Prison and the opening of a new prison in Cork in 2016.  Construction of new facilities in Limerick has also commenced.

As a result of these works, very significant progress has been made in eliminating the practice of ‘slopping out’ in Irish prisons.  In January 2014, 11.7% of the prison population were impacted. Since April 2016, this has been reduced to approximately 1% of the prison population.  As of October 2019, 58 prisoners did not have access to in-cell sanitation and all of these are in single cell accommodation.