Shock rise in prison incident payouts - Sinn Fein

The state paid out more than €5.5 million in compensation payments across the prison system in 2016, thats according to figures supplied by the Department of Justice.  Chairperson of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice and Equality, Sinn Fein TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin  has expressed shock at the significant increase in compensation payments to members of the Prison Service and to prisoners. The Cavan Monaghan deputy is to write to the Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan TD, seeking an explanation for the rise and nature of the accidents and incidents invovled.

Deputy O'Caoláin said “The monies being paid out all come ultimately out of the Prisons Vote in terms of exchequer spending. Whatever steps need to be taken to curtail the numbers of incidents and payout sums involved must be properly examined and employed if appropriate'. He believes the monies paid out are needed in other areas within the penal system,'the number of incidents is a concern and the monies involved are also a concern as these sums are needed to address already pressing issues within the Prison Service.”