At Cork Prison, over 100 people are waiting for addiction counselling, but there are only two addiction counsellors available to help them. This highlights a larger problem across Ireland, where addiction counselling and treatment services struggle to keep up with demand. At the start of this year, there were just 18 counsellors working nationally and nearly 1,000 people on waiting lists for support. Cork Prison’s situation is especially urgent, with only two addiction counsellors for 356 inmates.

Addiction Counselling in Cork Prison: A System Under Pressure

The number of people seeking addiction counselling at Cork Prison far exceeds the system’s current capabilities. With 103 people on the waiting list for addiction services and only two counsellors available, many inmates are unlikely to receive help before their release. This shortage is not unique to Cork Prison but reflects a national issue, with just 18 counsellors serving across the entire prison system and 953 adults on treatment waiting lists.

Why Addiction Counselling is Essential in Prisons

Addiction counselling at Cork Prison and beyond is not just about addressing substance use; it plays a vital role in rehabilitation and reducing reoffending. Sinn Féin TD for Cork North Central, Thomas Gould, has raised concerns that, without timely addiction support, many people are released before they have any opportunity to start recovery. Gould says, “The purpose of addiction counselling and addiction services in prison is to give people the best possible opportunity at rehabilitation and recovery.”

Unfortunately, the long waiting lists mean that those sentenced to short terms often leave prison without any intervention, undermining both their personal recovery and public safety.

Demand on Counsellors and the Impact on Prisoners

Only two addiction counsellors cover Cork Prison, where 356 people are currently detained. Last month, overcrowding reached record levels, with 376 prisoners and 76 inmates sleeping on the floor. The high numbers put enormous stress on addiction counselling staff and reduce the time they can spend with each prisoner.

James Leonard, co-host of The Two Norries podcast, described his own struggle accessing help for addiction while in custody, sharing that prison is a poor environment for meaningful treatment. Often, those with sentences under 12 months are released without even reaching the top of the waiting list. He explained, “You can go your whole life constantly slipping through the cracks. Overcrowding just makes everything more complicated.”

Counselling Services and Current Policy

The policy of the Irish Prison Service is to offer medically assisted detox and addiction-related treatments to inmates who test positive for substance use on arrival. This can include methadone stabilisation, one-to-one addiction counselling, group work, and psychological support. However, despite the commitment, just 18 addiction counsellors are employed for the entire country. The sanctioned quota is 20, with ongoing recruitment to fill vacancies.

With more prisoners needing support than counsellors can manage, the gap between those in need and those receiving addiction treatment is widening.

Short Sentences and Missed Opportunities

One key issue is the prevalence of short prison sentences. People sentenced to under 12 months are most at risk of missing out on addiction counselling. Time runs out before they leave the waiting list, and the cycle of addiction often continues outside prison walls.

Thomas Gould highlighted the impact of this, noting, “Their lives in the community are uprooted but they are not in prison for a long enough time to access supports. This can be highly damaging for people in the early stages of recovery and it serves no benefit to society.”

Overcrowding Adds to the Pressure

On top of understaffing, Cork Prison is also struggling with overcrowding. The prison is currently running 60 people over capacity. This makes it even harder for the two addiction counsellors to provide effective support, with the risk that entire groups of prisoners never see a counsellor at all. The Irish Prison Service has little control over inmate numbers, as they must accept all those sent to custody by the courts.

The Need for More Addiction Counsellors in Cork Prison

The current situation in Cork Prison is unsustainable both for those seeking help and those trying to provide it. With more than 100 people waiting for addiction counselling and just two counsellors on staff, many will miss out on vital support. Calls have been made to urgently increase the number of addiction counsellors and nurses in prisons and to re-evaluate the process for dealing with short-term sentences.

Source: Echolive