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Irish Examiner
25-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Inspector of prisons backs findings of jail report by European watchdog
The inspector of prisons Mark Kelly has echoed the 'deep concern' about the state of Irish prisons documented in a detailed report by a European inspection body. Mr Kelly said the findings by the Council of Europe Committee on the Prevention of Torture (CPT) mirrors those that he has made. The Irish Penal Reform Trust (IRPT) welcomed the CPT report and said that key ways of reducing overcrowding are to expand the availability and use of community sanctions and reduce the increasing numbers of people being held on remand in custody pending trial. The comments come as prison overcrowding reached another record on Thursday, with 5,539 in custody. That compares to just under 5,000 when the CPT team visited in May 2024. In a brief statement online, the office of the inspector of prisons in Ireland said: 'Council of Europe anti-torture committee publishes its new report, highlighting deep concern about the state of our prisons. OIP Ireland echoes that concern and notes that the CPT's recommendations mirror those of the Inspectorate.' IPRT legal policy and public affairs manager Niamh McCormack said the committee left no room for doubt that the cumulative impact of conditions in prisons 'may well amount to inhuman and degrading treatment and that overcrowding turns prisons into human warehouses'. She said the IPRT recognised the Irish Prison Service is 'treading water' and that it was 'simply not possible' for it to comply with basic human rights. 'Responsibility does not fall solely on the prison authorities as the Government must take clear and immediate action to reduce the prison population and alleviate pressure on the system,' she said. IPRT supports the committee's recommendation that when a prison has reached capacity, no one else should be admitted. Some justice sources have said the focus on building more prison spaces has resulted in the need for alternatives to custody being 'drowned out'. They questioned how many recommendations on community sanctions in various government reports and policy documents had been implemented. The CPT said that while legislation enables the judiciary to impose alternative sanctions for short and medium-term custodial sanctions, they were 'not used as fully as they could be'. It called on Irish authorities to adopt more community sentence measures, in "a systemic approach" that includes judges. The IPRT has also called for a supported bail service, where people are supervised in the community by probation officers, to cut down on rising remand numbers. It has sought €300,000 to enable the Probation Service to run a pilot supported bail service for women and €270,000 to build capacity on restorative justice. Justice minister Jim O'Callaghan said on Wednesday that €495m in the revised National Development Programme would go to prison capital projects over the next five years and create 1,500 spaces. They will be at Castlerea, Cloverhill, Mountjoy, Portlaoise, Wheatfield, Midlands, Dóchas, and the Old Cork prison site. The projects at existing jails are not expected until 2028 onwards. Some sources have doubted the old Cork prison could be demolished and a new male and female prison, for 400-500 people, built there within five years.
RTÉ News
04-07-2025
- RTÉ News
Recruitment campaign under way to hire 300 prison officers
A recruitment campaign is under way to hire 300 new prison officers in full-time positions. The new officers will help address staffing shortfalls amid an overcrowding crisis among the prison population, which recently exceeded 5,000 in a system with bed capacity for over 4,600. The Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) has claimed that overcrowding in prisons has been persistent since 2023 leading to unacceptable, degrading and dehumanising conditions across Irish prisons. The highest level of overcrowding is at Limerick's Women's Prison, which is currently 48% over capacity. Eighty-three women are in custody there, but the prison has a bed capacity of just 56. As of yesterday, 5,477 people are in prison custody, equating to the prison estate being at 118% capacity. The IRPT said many prisoners are forced to sleep on mattresses on the floor, which is said to increase tensions in ''inhumane and degrading conditions'' The Irish Prison Service's capital budget for 2025 is €53 million, which officials say is being used to create additional spaces. Capacity increases in prison system Over recent years, capacity has been increased by in excess of 300 spaces. "This year's campaign is a vital part of a much wider investment in our prison systems.'' said Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan. ''Prison officers are at the heart of our justice system and have the potential to positively impact the lives of some of Ireland's most vulnerable people, as well as Irish society as a whole," he added. The Irish prison service has encouraged anyone looking for a varied and fulfilling career to apply. ''The Government is committed to ensuring that all prison officers are empowered and equipped to lead rewarding careers that make a real difference," said Minister O'Callaghan. The Director General of the Irish Prison Service said the latest recruitment campaign will run until 1 August, 2025. ''The incredible work of prison officers is complex and often hidden from public view, but our annual competition and the launch of the virtual tour allow us the opportunity to let the public see the team work and the integrity, potential, safety and support that prison officers not only offer to prisoners, but to their colleagues as well.'' said Caron McCaffrey. Eligible candidates will undergo a comprehensive selection process, including written assessments, physical fitness tests, interviews, and background checks. Successful candidates will receive extensive training to equip them with the skills required for the role. The 2024 recruitment campaign attracted more than 1500 applicants and 271 prison officers joining the Irish Prison Service. Virtual prison tour launched A virtual prison tour through an Irish Prison Service location has also been launched. The interactive web-based virtual tool, believed to be the first of its kind, guides visitors or incoming prisoners on what to expect when visiting a prison location
RTÉ News
03-07-2025
- RTÉ News
Prison service hiring hundreds to address overcrowding crisis
A recruitment campaign is underway to hire 300 new prison officers in full-time positions. The new officers will help address staffing shortfalls amid an overcrowding crisis among the prison population, which recently exceeded 5,000 in a system with bed capacity for over 4,600. The Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) has claimed that overcrowding in prisons has been persistent since 2023 leading to unacceptable, degrading and dehumanising conditions across Irish prisons. The highest level of overcrowding is at Limerick's Women's Prison, which is currently 48% over capacity. Eighty-three women are in custody there, but the prison has a bed capacity of just 56. As of Thursday, 3 July, 5,477 people are in prison custody, equating to the prison estate being at 118% capacity. The IRPT said many prisoners are forced to sleep on mattresses on the floor, which is said to increase tensions in ''inhumane and degrading conditions'' The Irish Prison Service's capital budget for 2025 is €53 million, which officials say is being used to create additional spaces. Capacity increases in prison system Over recent years, capacity has been increased by in excess of 300 spaces. "This year's campaign is a vital part of a much wider investment in our prison systems.'' said Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O'Callaghan. ''Prison officers are at the heart of our justice system and have the potential to positively impact the lives of some of Ireland's most vulnerable people, as well as Irish society as a whole," he added. The Irish prison service has encouraged anyone looking for a varied and fulfilling career to apply. ''The Government is committed to ensuring that all prison officers are empowered and equipped to lead rewarding careers that make a real difference," said Minister O'Callaghan. Virtual prison tour launched A virtual prison tour through an Irish Prison Service location has also been launched. The interactive web-based virtual tool, believed to be the first of its kind, guides visitors or incoming prisoners on what to expect when visiting a prison location The Director General of the Irish Prison Service said the latest recruitment campaign will run until 1 August, 2025. ''The incredible work of prison officers is complex and often hidden from public view, but our annual competition and the launch of the virtual tour allow us the opportunity to let the public see the team work and the integrity, potential, safety and support that prison officers not only offer to prisoners, but to their colleagues as well.'' said Director General of the Irish Prison Service Caron McCaffrey. Eligible candidates will undergo a comprehensive selection process, including written assessments, physical fitness tests, interviews, and background checks. Successful candidates will receive extensive training to equip them with the skills required for the role. The 2024 recruitment campaign attracted more than 1500 applicants and 271 prison officers joining the Irish Prison Service.
