The prison system has been described as being at ‘breaking point’ by a local TD following figures in relation overcrowding.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has confirmed to Independent TD Carol Nolan that while the current official prisoner capacity within the prison system is 4,519, as September 9, there were 4,938 people in custody.
The data shows that male prisoners accounted for 4,675 of the overall number while female prisoners accounted for 263.
Minister McEntee said: “It is for the courts to determine if a custodial sentence is required, and the IPS must accept into custody all people committed to prison by the Courts.
“The Prison Service is working closely with officials in my Department to take steps to ensure a safe working environment for staff, and the safety and security of people in custody.
“They are also working to identify short, medium, and long-term proposals to manage capacity issues in our prisons as they arise.
“Government has made significant capital funding available to the Irish Prison Service to enhance the existing prison infrastructure and provide additional capacity.
“A total Capital funding allocation of €159m for the years 2024 to 2026, which includes an increase of €49.5m in the most recent NDP allocations to assist towards bringing on stream accommodation for over 1,100 people between 2024 and 2030.
“Short term projects are being progressed which are expected to deliver accommodation for over 150 people in 2024.
“The Prison Service are also engaged with the Defence Forces to assess the feasibility of bringing the Curragh Military Prison into use.
“In recent years, capacity across the prison estate has been increased by more than 200 additional spaces through the reopening of the Training Unit in Mountjoy, the opening of new male accommodation in Limerick and the new standalone female prison in Limerick.
“In July 2023, I established a Prison Overcrowding Response Group, composed of officials from the Department of Justice and representatives from relevant agencies, to identify measures to address capacity issues in the prison estate.
“In June 2024, on foot of a report from this Group, I approved 12 actions and work to implement these is ongoing.
“In addition, and to further consider future prison capacity needs, I have established a new Working Group which will make recommendations on the numbers and types of prison capacity needed out to 2035.
“This Group will also make recommendations on the future use of the site at Thornton Hall.”
Deputy Nolan says that Thornton Hall has generated significant controversy recently after it was earmarked for International Protection services.
She said: “The minister tells me that Government has made significant capital funding available to the Irish Prison Service to enhance the existing prison infrastructure and provide additional capacity, which I accept is a move in the right direction, but we also know from her reply that this on stream additional accommodation for over 1,100 people between will not be reached until 2030.
“There is growing concern among the population with respect to increased levels of blatant criminal activity and a sentencing system that does not seem fit-for-purpose.
“Telling people that they will have to wait another 5 or 6 years before we have anything like proper capacity within the prison system is a non-starter.
“It beggar’s belief that Government chose to proceed with Thornton Hall for IPAS use when the overwhelming priority should have been to maximise all available designated sites as future prison sites.
“Government is not keeping pace with the level of need for prison capacity or rising crime and that is something which should alarm all of us.”
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