Stakeholder Service Charter & Complaints


Irish Prison Service Stakeholder Service Charter and General Complaints Policy

The delivery of effective and quality service is a priority for the Irish Prison Service and forms an integral part of our overall Strategic Plan (2019-2022).   The purpose of this Action Plan and the Stakeholder Charter that accompanies it, is to set out in how we aim to provide the highest level of service to our stakeholders.

The purpose of this charter is to set out the standard of service and behaviour which should underpin our interactions with all stakeholders.

The Irish Prison Service’s standards and behaviour are governed by the Standards in Public Office Act 2001 and the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour.  This Code specifies that civil servants must maintain high standards of service in all of their dealings with the public.

The Irish Prison Service’s mission is to provide safe and secure custody, dignity of care and rehabilitation to prisoners for safer communities. Our vision for a safer community is realised through excellence in a Prison Service that is built on respect for human dignity is achieved through working in partnership with all levels of government, funded services, communities and individuals. Our work is underpinned by high standards in accountability and support to all those we serve.

The Irish Prison Service interacts with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders including the Department of Justice, the Department of Health, EuroPris, families of people in our custody, victims of crime, and many advocacy groups and regulatory bodies.

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (“DPER”) developed a Quality Customer Service Initiative whereby public service organisations must ensure that they are providing the highest level of service to all of its customers in accordance with 12 principles of quality customer service. Our work is underpinned by high standards in accountability and support to all those we serve as a public body.

General Complaints Policy

The Irish Prison Service General Complaints Policy is a commitment from the organisation to provide a clear, simple and straightforward way for anyone using our service to make a complaint.

We aim at all times to provide a positive experience to all and we use the complaints procedure as a way to learn and improve for the future.

The policy provides for a dedicated e-mail and postal address set up to receive complaints which will be acknowledged. The policy also sets out specific time frames for responses and results which allows for all parties to know where they stand and their responsibilities.

This provides the Irish Prison Service with another tool with which to try and ensure a positive experience for all those who interact with us is difficult times in their lives.

Further resources:

Irish Prison Service General Complaints Policy

Irish Prison Service Stakeholder Service Charter September 2021

Irish Prison Service Stakeholder Service Charter Action Plan September 2021