Ms Sarahjane McCreery:

The Progress in the Irish Penal System, PIPS, report 2021 found that the IPS drugs policy was published in 2006. It is entitled Keeping Drugs Out of Prison, so I think that speaks for itself. It is not based on harm reduction and is not aligned with the national drugs strategy. Three principles are cited in the policy. One is essentially concerned with reducing supply at all costs, another focuses on encouraging communication about drugs and the third is devoted to supporting people in the context of their drug use, which means the principles all contradict each other. Therefore, that drugs policy needs to be addressed as soon as possible. It should accord with the national drugs strategy and it should be updated.

Regarding harm reduction options, we requested information from the IPS regarding supports and treatment options for those using drugs in the prison system. We got little information in response. Information on drugs in prisons tends to be an area where PIPS found we do not get much information. I do not know the reason for that. It should be information that is publicly available regardless. We know there are limited harm reduction options in prison and that, for example, there is no access to a needle exchange programme. People get naloxone when they leave prison, but not while they are in prison. I am not aware of any programme where people in prison are trained in peer support and what to do in situations where someone has an overdose, for example, which often happens in hostels. We know drugs are used in prisons, with one in two prisoners doing so.