Prison blues

If the Irish courts rule in favour of a Cork ex-prisoner who feels his human rights were violated it will set a serious precedent for all ex-Cork prisoners who will then be able to sue the state because they’ve had to “slop-out” and in addition endure other people’s cigarette smoke in cells inhabited by six inmates.

Claims could go back years. It’ll be like open season on the states cheque-book. Remember how the army deafness claims led to thousands of fraudulent cases being taken by army personnel who were little more than trying it on, while a minority had a genuine disability. All for one and one for all I suppose. But perhaps in the case of prisoners suing the state is not such a bad thing.

Disgusting. I’m all for making prison life tough, even the lags are in agreement with that. Serve full sentences; get rid of good behaviour time off, no mercy for re offending on bail, get prisoners out working in the community even.

But they should at least be allowed the human decency of being allowed to use the toilet, a real toilet, with some form of self-respect and decency. I’d hate to think that the current system exists in Cork prison as a tool to keep the prisoners demoralised and under control.

I would, however, appear to be in the minority. The vast majority of people who called my radio programme had little or no sympathy for the Cork prison fraternity, reminding me that my sympathies should lie not with the perp’s but with the victims of crime, or in some cases with the families left behind to grieve the loss of a loved one, killed by a prisoner now serving his just time, while whinging on about toilet facilities.

Incidentally I assume that people against prisoner rights are against them for all prisoners, in all prisons, including women? Would it not make more sense to increase sentences, speed up trial waiting lists, build bigger and better prisons, enough to house all serious offenders?