Penal reform group to launch major report on solitary confinement

The Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) will tomorrow launch a major new report calling for the abolition of solitary confinement.

The report is the culmination of a major evidence-based research project led by the IPRT, and contains 25 key recommendations focusing on the use of solitary confinement and restricted regimes in Ireland.

The research undertaken includes the analysis of law, policy and statistical information, as well as prison visits and interviews with prisoners, prison staff, and other respondents with relevant experience.

Tomorrow morning’s launch event in Dublin will feature a keynote address from Juan Méndez, former UN special rapporteur on torture, who will discuss how prolonged or indefinite solitary confinement constitutes cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment or even torture because of the mental pain it inflicts.

He will also address the reasons why international law is developing a framework to regulate its use, and he will speak about reform efforts underway in various countries, including Ireland.

Speaking ahead of the launch, IPRT executive director Deirdre Malone said: “We are very privileged to have Juan Méndez visit Ireland and provide his insights and first-hand experience of prison regimes in countries across the world, garnered over the course of a long and distinguished career dedicated to the defence of human rights.”

Ms Malone (pictured) added: “Our goal is ambitious but achievable – the abolition of solitary confinement in Ireland in the short term and the gradual elimination of the use of restricted regimes with a minimum out-of-cell time at 8 hours per day and an ultimate target of 12 hours out-of-cell time daily for all prisoners across the prison estate.”