Prisoner found dead at secure unit in prison in the Midlands

An inmate has died in the Midlands Prison in Portlaoise in part of a prison used to house the most challenging prisoners.

It's reported that a Galway native, who was aged in his 50s, was found dead in the National Violence Reduction Unit. The loss of life was confirmed by the Irish Prison Service.

“The Irish Prison Service can confirm that there was a death of a person in the custody of the Irish Prison Service on 31st May 2023 and the next of kin have been notified.

“This death in custody will be investigated by the Irish Prison Service, The Inspector of Prisons and An Garda Síochána, where circumstances warrant", it said.

Laois TD and then Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan, officially open the Violence Reduction Unit at the Laois jail in  November 2018.

The Department of Justic said at the time that the unit would house "the most challenging prisoners including those with a history of extreme violence towards other prisoners and staff".

It said the unit can accommodate six "violently disruptive prisoners" and up to a further four prisoners who will be admitted for the "purpose of intensive assessment".

When opened, it was described as the first co-led unit of its kind representing a "significant culture change".

A statement said the Unit contains physical innovations which will allow prison staff to interact with prisoners without the need to use a technique called “barrier handling” in which the offender is surrounded by staff in personal protective equipment and carry shields for safety.

It said it was designed to maximise the Prison Services's ability to have a drug free environment.  The Unit has multiple areas where prisoner may be out-of-cell, yet contained within distinct areas for therapeutic or educational activity, exercise or having visits (personal or legal).

Additional safety features trialled at the opening of the unit include the use of concealed batons as standard issue for officers working on the unit. 

In addition, the use of individual body-worn cameras were trialed on the Unit. Such cameras were described as "a mandatory tool" for prison officers performing working in the unit.