The Hidden Ireland

Sir, - Vincent Browne writes scathingly of the "care" afforded to long-stay psychiatric patients (Opinion, November 17th)

Sir, - Vincent Browne writes scathingly of the "care" afforded to long-stay psychiatric patients (Opinion, November 17th). He describes the limited value, as a mechanism for preventing ill-treatment and improving accountability, of the annual report of the Inspector of Mental Hospitals.

The situation with regard to prisoners - another invisible and vulnerable group - is disturbing also. Despite overwhelming arguments in its favour and repeated calls for its establishment, there is still no prison inspectorate. At a time when we are all so acutely aware of the potential for abuse in any institution, it is shocking that this important safeguard is not in place. - Yours etc.,

Dr Ian O'Donnell, Director, Irish Penal Reform Trust, Lower Dominick Street, Dublin 1.