Over €100,000 has been paid out in compensation to two families of prisoners who had died from self-inflicted injuries while in custody in recent years.
That’s according to a document provided to the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee (PAC) by the Department of Justice, seen by TheJournal.ie.
The document showed that between the years of 2014 and 2018 a total of €2,359,145 was paid in compensation to prisoners.
Another €5,913,695 in associated legal costs were borne by the State in defending these claims.
Compensation payouts were highest in 2016, standing at €647,167, followed by 2018 at €502,646 and 2017 at €492,126.
2015 saw €468,059 worth of compensation payouts, while payouts in 2014 stood at €249,137.
Payments for self-injurious behaviour between 2016 and 2017 were €50,000 and €51,737, respectively. These payments were made to families of prisoners who had died from self-inflicted injuries while in custody.
Source: The Journal
