The shortage of in-patient psychiatric beds for prisoners was commented upon by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, CPT, during its recent visit to Ireland. In response to the concerns expressed by the CPT and with a view to eliminating delays in the provision of in-patient psychiatric care to prisoners, the Government established a special committee to draw up a service level agreement on the admission of mentally ill prisoners to the Central Mental Hospital. There is an acceptance on all sides that the physical conditions at the Central Mental Hospital are unsatisfactory. As has been pointed out by the Inspector of Mental Hospitals on numerous occasions, most of the old building is quite unsatisfactory for its current purpose and conditions in some parts of it are unacceptable.