GANGLAND ILLEGAL DRUG WAR RAGES IN LIMERICK PRISON

THE major problem of illegal drugs being smuggled into Limerick
prison is leading to gangland feuds, resulting in prisoners being
placed on protection for their own safety, a report by the Inspector
of Prisons has revealed.

Carried out by Mr Justice Dermot Kinlen, the report states that the
various ways and means that prisoners use to obtain the drugs is
"incredible". And it is "an ongoing concern" despite measures to
reduce drug trafficking such as installing CCTV cameras in visiting
rooms and erecting netting over exercise yards to stop members of the
public throwing drugs over the wall.

"The illegal drug problem is causing disciplinary concerns as it
leads to gangs, gangland-type feuds, harassment, intimidation, crime
bosses, etc., resulting in prisoners being placed on protection and
in segregation which is affecting the whole regime of the prison,"
said Mr Kinlen.

A shortage of prison guards was also putting staff at risk and
compromising their safety, according to the report. It stated that
the annualised hours system which was brought in to combat prison's
spiralling overtime costs was"not working properly".

"The annualised hours were introduced into the prison last January
and they are not working satisfactorily as there are staffing level
problems. There is an increase in the number of staff taking sick
leave. It appears from enquiries that because staff have great
difficulties in getting time off, they now take sick leave instead,"
said Mr Kinlen.

Staff shortages was also affecting prisoners who complained of their
services being cut or curtailed as a result of this.

In general,the report said that the Mulgrave Street Prison was "well
run," but Mr Kinlen criticised the practice of slopping out, which
still takes place in two jail wings.

Calling it "degrading for everyone involved," Mr Kinlen recommended
that these last two wings (A