Newly-published inspection reports by Ireland’s Chief Inspector of Prisons chart the “degeneration” of living and working conditions in Cloverhill and Mountjoy Prisons in Dublin.
The 2024 follow-up inspection of Cloverhill Prison found that the conditions in which the vast majority of people were living could be qualified as degrading. The only significant difference, as compared to a previous inspection, was that a higher proportion of people living in the prison were being held in degrading conditions.
During the 2025 follow-up inspection of Mountjoy Prison, inspectors found that the dramatic increase in its population had generated significant adverse consequences for people living and working there. The documented living conditions of some prisoners sharing cells in Mountjoy were deplorable and can be considered to amount to inhuman and degrading treatment.
Commenting today (4 February 2026) on the publication of the reports, Chief Inspector of Prisons Mark Kelly, said: “Over the period that Cloverhill and Mountjoy Prisons have been closely monitored by the Inspectorate, living and working conditions have continued to degenerate. These new reports review the action taken to implement our recommendations to reduce overcrowding, eliminate the use of mattresses on floors, end prolonged solitary confinement, strengthen pathways to mental health care and ensure consistent access to healthcare, work, education and resettlement supports.”
“Unfortunately, we have concluded that the necessary action has yet to be taken to implement many of our recommendations, which are addressed to the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, the Director General of the Irish Prison Service as well as to the Governors of these two prisons.”
Mr Kelly added:
“To some extent, implementation delays may be attributed to the pernicious effects of overcrowding. However, it is important the persistence of overcrowding is not relied upon as a catch-all excuse to fail to make progress in areas where this remains possible. For example, the management team at Mountjoy Prison has demonstrated that, when it is determined to do so, it can achieve some improvements notwithstanding the constraints imposed by overcrowding.”
The Inspectorate will continue closely to monitor the implementation of its recommendations in Cloverhill and Mountjoy Prisons, and across the prison estate.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
Copies of the OIP inspection reports can be viewed at:
ABOUT THE OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR OF PRISONS
The Office of the Inspector of Prisons (OIP) is Ireland’s independent watchdog for the prison system.
It was established under the Prisons Act 2007 and is headed today by international human rights lawyer Chief Inspector Mark Kelly. The OIP inspects prisons, investigates deaths in custody, and monitors conditions of detention to ensure they meet human rights standards. It was established to be a fair and impartial body, and reports publicly on its findings and makes recommendations to improve transparency, accountability, and the humane treatment of people in custody.
Publication of the Inspectorate’s reports is currently the prerogative of the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. However, upon enactment of the Inspection of Places of Detention Bill, the Inspectorate will be empowered to publish its own reports.
For further information, please see: www.oip.ie.