A bishop in Ireland is calling for people to better respect the human rights of prisoners.

In a reflection to mark Prisoners’ Sunday, Rt Rev Martin Hayes who is Bishop of Kilmore said that in July this year, around “520 prisoners [in the Republic of Ireland] were sleeping on mattresses on the floor in overcrowded cells next to unpartitioned toilets”, that amounts to around a tenth of all the country’s inmates.

He said while always keeping in mind the victims of crime, “we must be alert to the living conditions of prisoners.  In order to have any hope of rehabilitation, prisoners need to have their basic human rights respected.  While every effort is being made by the Irish Prison Service to provide care for prisoners, the basic problem is that there is not enough space to accommodate all prisoners.  We are called to do more by way of developing alternative forms of rehabilitation and / or build more prison space”.

Prisoners’ Sunday marks the first day of an ecumenical Prisons Week, which raises awareness of issues faced by those affected by the criminal justice system.

Bishop Martin, who is the Liaison Bishop to the Irish Prison Service added: “Our prayer on this Prisoners’ Sunday is that we reach out to our prisoners, recognising the good and the bad in each other; the good that inspires and the bad that can be redeemed with the communication of God’s persistent love.  May we respond to God’s constant love by ensuring that we give prisoners the respect they are due and the chances of rehabilitation that they deserve.”