Two new reports from the Inspector of Prisons have found that drugs remain a serious problem within Limerick prison and Wheatfield jail in Dublin.
In the report on the Limerick facility, Mr Justice Dermot Kinlen said the prison was 'well-run', but he criticised the practice of 'slopping out', which he described as 'degrading for everyone involved'.
Staff at the prison told the inspector that they were fearful for their safety due to staff shortages.
Meanwhile, an inspection of Wheatfield found that some prisoners were 'kept in long-term segregation without any or very little stimulation'.
Inmates also complained of bullying between prisoners and by staff against prisoners.
The Visiting Committee of Wheatfield told the inspector that 'despite the fact that drugs were rife within the prison, there were only two drug-free landings'. The committee said there should and could be more facilities.
There were seven attempted suicides in Limerick prison and one attempted suicide in Wheatfield.
