Misconduct uncovered in Cloverhill Prison: Watchdog reveals manipulated records concerning deceased mentally ill inmate
Falsified Records Revealed in Death of Mentally Ill Prisoner
Recent investigations have uncovered serious concerns regarding the integrity of supervision documentation in Ireland's Cloverhill Prison, following the death of a severely mentally ill Spanish resident, Mr. O, on August 10, 2022.
Mr. O, aged 52, was in custody on a minor public order charge when he was remanded to Cloverhill Prison. His erratic behavior, which included standing on his bed in a state of undress, shouting at the floor, and refusing to respond to questions, raised serious concerns about his mental state. Despite these concerns, prison records did not accurately reflect his condition or the care he required.
On the morning of his death, staff records showed they had checked the prisoner at 7am, 7.15am, and 7.30am. However, Mr. O was found unresponsive in his cell at 6.50am. Despite attempts to revive him, these were unsuccessful.
The Office of the Inspector of Prisons (IPS) has determined that three journal entries had been filled in ahead of time by staff, negating the value of the recording safeguard. This falsification of records is a severe breach of trust and has undermined the integrity of supervision documentation.
The IPS has been raising concerns about the falsification of prison records on several previous occasions. In response, they are working on implementing recommendations in this area, assigning additional resources to Cloverhill, and commencing a digitization project to improve record-keeping and limit the risk of falsification later this year. Staff who falsify records are sanctioned in line with the code of discipline.
The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) has also found several cases of records being falsified, particularly in Cloverhill and Limerick Prisons. This case highlights serious failings in prison mental health supervision and documentation transparency within Cloverhill Prison.
In response to this incident and a general spike in inmate deaths, Irish prisons are considering installing remote “signs of life” monitors in cells to better observe prisoners' well-being and prevent similar incidents.
The report on the death and falsification has been submitted to the Irish Minister for Justice, Jim O'Callaghan, indicating official recognition and ongoing scrutiny of the issue. No further information about legal or disciplinary actions against staff or further reforms was found in the current search results.
Mr. O had spent time in psychiatric hospitals outside the State and had not been taking his medication for a lengthy period. Gardai informed prison staff that the judge would strike out the charge against Mr. O if treatment could be arranged. Mr. O was due to be transferred to St Vincent's hospital in Fairview on August 11th.
This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for improved mental health care and transparency in Ireland's prisons. The IPS and the Irish government must take swift action to address these issues and ensure the safety and well-being of all prisoners in their care.
[1] Source: The Irish Times [2] Source: The Journal [4] Source: The Irish Examiner
- The falsification of records in Cloverhill Prison, as seen in the case of Mr. O, raises concerns about the accuracy of health-and-wellness documentation for prisoners, including those with chronic diseases and medical-conditions, such as mental illness.
- The Irish government, in light of the revelations about falsified records, needs to prioritize fitness-and-exercise programs, mental-health support, and overall health-and-wellness initiatives for prisoners to ensure their well-being and prevent similar incidents.
- The ongoing issue of falsified records in Ireland's prisons, particularly in Cloverhill and Limerick Prisons, emphasizes the need for transparency, efficiency, and integrity in the management of chronic diseases, mental health, and other health-and-wellness issues among prisoners.
