I have been advised by the Irish Prison Service that any prisoner who enters the custody of the Irish Prison Service while presenting with addiction issues has access to addiction services, and is actively encouraged to engage with those services. The Irish Prison Service has confirmed that the treatments available are based on the principles of best practice, and are similar to those available in the community setting.
There are 519 persons who are currently engaging with drug treatment services; the aggregate total is comprised of the following:
Castlerea - 9
Cloverhill - 91
Cork - 28
Limerick - 36
Dochas - 42
Mountjoy - 145
Training Unit - 7
Wheatfield - 69
Portlaoise - 11
Midlands - 81
There was an aggregate total of 1,793 patients who received methadone substitution treatment during 2016, and 465 patients were receiving methadone substitution treatment at 31st December 2016.
There are currently 54 persons who are on a waiting list for the Drug Treatment Programme.