Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 8 March 2017

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality

Penal Reform: Discussion (Resumed)

9:00 am

Mr. Fergal Black:

There are a very significant number of people in the lower level. One of the reasons that we have recruited assistant psychologists and we are growing our psychology service is that we believe there is an underbelly of people from that severe and enduring group who have adjustment disorders, depression and anxiety. We have brought in new services to try to assist those people in managing and coping with their sentences. I cannot give the Deputy a figure because I do not have it. However, we recognise that there is a significant underbelly of people in custody who have mental health issues. Numerous reports have identified this too.

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