Ms Deirdre Malone:

In February 2018 the Irish Penal Reform Trust published research on the effects of being in solitary confinement and restricted regimes. The director general is correct insofar as we have found that the vast majority who are participating in that regime are requesting it because they fear for their lives or safety. There is a very significant structural issue if there is that number of prisoners in they system who fear for their lives or are in fear of an injury. It is a significant concern. The reason I have raised it at this hearing on mental health is, as the director general said, we know that the impact of that type of regime on mental health is so severe and significant.

On families saying they feel their loved one would be safer in prison, I have had the same experience where a family member has told me something similar. We face a dire situation if families are so desperate about the lack of mental health supports and services that they would rather their family members go through the criminal justice system to access health services. That is not acceptable.