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The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Mr. Alan Shatter T.D., today published the Annual Report of the Inspector of Prisons, Mr. Michael Reilly. The report relates to the performance of the Inspector’s statutory function during 2011.

The Minister welcomed the report and said, “I would like to thank the Inspector for his efforts during 2011 in ensuring that obligations to prisoners are understood, that operating procedures are standardised and for his advice detailing best practice”.  

The Minister went on to say that “I look forward to the Inspector’s Report to be submitted following his reflection on the recently published Irish Prison Service Strategy Statement 2012 - 2014, and his follow up inspection report on Limerick Prison.  The Inspector will also submit his report on his current investigation into St. Patrick’s Institution. I understand that the Inspector’s report following the publication of the Prison Service Strategy Statement will address a number of important issues including overcrowding, slopping out and deaths in custody.

In relation to deaths in custody, I recently announced that the death of any prisoner in the custody of the Irish Prison Service shall be the subject of an independent investigation by the Inspector of Prisons. This is in addition and without prejudice to existing mechanisms in place for the investigation of deaths including Garda investigations and inquests by Coroners. All deaths of prisoners, including those arising from natural causes or suicide, will be the subject of an independent investigation by the Inspector”.

The Office of the Inspector of Prisons Annual Report 2011 is available on the Department of Justice and Equality website: