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Irish Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
Call for suspects denied bail to be released from overcrowded prisons
The Irish prison system is overcrowded to the point that prisoners are not being afforded their 'basic human rights' and legislation is required to allow for the early release of more prisoners, the Irish Penal Reform Trust has said. The Irish Prison Service should, the trust argued, have the power to release remand prisoners who have been denied bail by the courts as part of an effort to ease overcrowding. Caron McCaffrey, director general of the service, has previously highlighted the growth in the remand prison population as a significant strain on an already overcrowded system. She noted that people on remand cannot be released by prison management as the courts have ruled they should remain in custody pending trial. READ MORE A report on the Irish prison system by the Council of Europe Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Degrading Treatment (CPT), published this week, strongly criticised the level of overcrowding across the Irish prison system . Since the committee's visits to Ireland, which concluded in May of last year, the prison population has increased by more than 10 per cent to 5,539 prisoners. Responding to the report, Niamh McCormack, the trust's legal policy and public affairs manager, said overcrowding was 'pervasive' across Irish prisons and 'negatively impacting all aspects of prison life and posing safety concerns for both prisoners and staff alike'. Ms McCormack noted that early or temporary release had been used by prison management to control prisoner numbers. However, she said to make way for newly committed prisoners, the power to release others must be expanded. 'Reducing the population in pre-trial detention and expanding the availability and encouraging greater use of community-based sanctions, where those are appropriate, is a clear way to do this safely and effectively. Legislation to address these key issues must be prioritised,' she said. The Council of Europe's report on the Irish prison system recommended that when a jail has reached capacity, no more prisoners should admitted. It also found there had been an increase in allegations of abuse of inmates by prison staff, including an incident which left a prisoner with 'significant disabilities'. The report described severe overcrowding in some prisons, with some inmates having a living area of just 2.8 sq m. When the committee members concluded their visits to Irish jails in May of last year, the prison population was 4,950, with 541 prisoners on temporary release. 944 prisoners in the system were on remand awaiting trial, up from 696 in the five years since its last inspection.
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.
The Journal
22-06-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
How does Ireland's prison overcrowding crisis compare to other European countries?
EUROPE'S PRISON POPULATION is increasing, with many countries around the continent, including Ireland, experience dangerous levels of overcrowding. According to analysis of the latest data from Eurostat, Europe's central statistics database, there was a 3.2% increase in the continent's prison population in 2023. That year, 13 countries in Europe were experiencing overcrowding. Very high levels of incarcerations were also recorded between 1993 and 2023. In Ireland, where prison capacity on Friday was recorded at a level of 117% , the issue with overcrowding has been deemed a crisis by legal experts, staff unions and senior sources within the Irish penal system. An increase in the number of judges , changes to legislation and sentencing guidelines, as well as underinvestment into the prison estate in the country have been contributing factors to the crisis. The Eurostat data shows, however, that this trend has been occurring across EU member states over a 30-year period. At its peak in 2012, prisons in Europe were accommodating 533,000 people. Government has initiated an expansion plan for the construction of 1,500 new places – but industry associations like the Irish Prison Officers Association believe that 'building out' of the problem is not the solution. Speaking at an event in May, President of the association Tony Power said that investments must be made into the existing system to provide more spaces. Staff should not be 'expected' to work in overcrowded conditions, he added. Mattresses on the floor in Europe Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan has pledged to find ways to accelerate the delivery of more prison spaces . Advertisement A senior source at the service previously told The Journal that building more spaces, given the timescale involved in capital projects, is not seen as an option. This has led to an increase in the number of people sleeping on the floor in Irish facilities , something the Irish Penal Reform Trust deeply condemns. These figures are so high that the service started recording them in official daily statistics this year. On Friday, 404 people were sleeping on mattresses the ground in Irish prisons. French prison population levels reached record highs in March as a total of 82,152 people – roughly the same size of a full house at Croke Park – were in custody in French prisons that month. The official capacity is 62,539. More than 4,500 people were sleeping on the floor at French facilities – 15 of which are at 200% capacity. Deportations and releases France's Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin has called for the deportation of foreign prisoners so that they can serve their sentences in their home nations. In Ireland, however, the Irish Penal Reform Trust has called for imprisonment to be regarded as a 'last resort' and for alternative measures , such as community service or supervised temporary release, to be encouraged. The Irish Prison Service has increased the population of prisoners on temporary release , which sees the supervised release of low-level, non-violent offenders serving sentences outside of prison under strict conditions. The State has been criticised for allowing the temporary release scheme as a pressure valve to overcrowding, but sources in the prison management say the programme is the only way it can maintain safe population levels at facilities in the country. In Austria, experts say prison sentences are still too common and, often, people are committed for minor offences. Facilities in the country are at 108% capacity, as of May. Access to rehabilitative care In Spain, the country has adopted a more rehabilitative approach. It allows prisoners a gradual transition to more open regimes, based on their behaviour and risk of re-offending. Similar programmes are available in Ireland . Data from Spain shows that 80% of people released from prison do not return to crime. Related Reads Court escorts for prisoners at risk due to overcrowding, Irish prisons boss warns Fears within prison service that prison overcrowding increasing risk of violence and rioting New ankle monitors could be an alternative to being held on remand, Irish prisons boss says Overcrowding is reducing the population's access to services in Ireland . Sources have said that offenders placed on supervised release or short sentences are, sometimes, not provided with any rehabilitative care. The head of the Irish Prison Service told reporters last month that up to 2,000 prisoners are currently on waiting lists to access psychology support services. Director General Caron McCaffrey said there are also smaller waiting lists for other services, such as addiction therapy, education and training programmes. She said a 'whole of government approach' is needed to boost services such as education, training and therapy in prisons. Responding to questions by The Journal in May, she admitted that people are sometimes released before receiving care. High levels of overcrowding at prisons in Austria is leading to similar issues to what is seen in Ireland, where prisoners outnumber support staff. The European Court of Auditors recently criticised Vienna's lack of investment. Changes are being led from prison management, however, to boost rehabilitation resources in Irish prisons. Existing staff are being upskilled and trained on methods to provide and assist in the care of prisoners with mental health issues. Additionally, a peer-led, pilot programme has been launched in Dublin's Mountjoy Prison which trains and educates prisoners on providing addiction care to others. — This article is part of PULSE, a European collaborative journalism project. With reporting by Maria Delaney (The Journal Investigates, Ireland), Davide Madeddu (Il Sole 24 Ore, Italy), Kim Son Hoang (Der Standard, Austria) and Ana Somavilla (El Confidencial, Spain) as well as translation services by Ciarán Lawless (Voxeurop). Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
RTÉ News
17-06-2025
- RTÉ News
Deportation of 35 Nigerian asylum seekers cost €500,000
New figures show the cost of deporting 35 Nigerian asylum seekers earlier this month was half-a-million euro, when prison detention costs are added. When 35 Nigerian asylum seekers - 21 adult men, 9 adult women and 5 children - were deported on 4 June last the Ministers at the Department of Justice said the operation cost €324,714. That figure was for the provision of the operation's flights. When prison costs are taken into account, the bill rises to over half-a-million euro. The Department confirmed to RTÉ's News at One that the figure of €325,000 was for flights and it did not include prison costs associated with holding 28 of the Nigerian deportees for an average of 27 days each. This means 756 prison days were used to accommodate the 28 detainees - 21 adult men and 7 adult women. Calculations based on Department of Justice figures show those costs could have amounted to €205,201. The Department confirmed to Morning Ireland the average cost of holding a prison in jail is nearly €99,072 each year. When that amount is divided by 365 days, the average cost amounts to €271.43 per day to house a prisoner. A more conservative estimate from Irish Penal Reform Trust figures would put the amount to hold the 28 Nigerians for an average of 27 days each at just over €173,000. Irish Penal Reform Trust figures from 2023 estimated the average cost to house a prison is €230 per day. The Department of Justice told RTÉ's News at One that "the cost of detention of the cohort in question" is not available. It said: "The cost of detention for the cohort in question is not available. The Irish Prison Service advise that the average annual cost of an available, staffed prison space for all prisoners during the calendar year 2024 was €99,072. This includes net expenditure incurred within the year (such as salaries, utilities/ maintenance, ICT, prison services, etc.) excluding capital expenditure on buildings, ICT and vehicle purchases." 'Prisons are not appropriate' The Irish Penal Reform Trust said prisons are not appropriate places for failed asylum seekers being deported from Ireland. "Prisons are not the appropriate place for them to be detained - especially if they are sharing spaces with people who have been convicted when they are not convicted themselves," said the Saoirse Brady, executive director of the Irish Penal Reform Trust. Ms Brady also said sending refugee detainees in Irish prisons was putting pressure on a service where prisoners sleep on mattresses beside toilets. Gabriel Keaveney, Deputy General Secretary of the Prison Officers Association said having additional people sent to Irish prisons adds to the existing overcrowding crisis. Prison service figures showed 5,415 prisoners were in custody on Monday. The bed capacity is 4,665 - that means its operating at 117% capacity - in all of the prisons. 422 prisoners were on mattresses on floors. 585 were on temporary release. The Department of Justice said in a statement: "The majority of those detained were held in Cloverhill Remand Prison or Mountjoy Female Prison (Dóchas Centre) as appropriate. Other places of detention have been Cork Prison, Limerick Prison and Midlands Prison." It added: "The Minister is committed to ensuring that Ireland's immigration system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that the public has confidence in the application of our legislation in this area." Charter flight contract Charter flight services to deport people from Ireland are provided by Air Partner Ltd under a contract entered into in November 2024. This contract, the Department said, was signed following a competitive and open procurement process and the costs for the provision of the aircraft for these operations has been: €102,476 for a one-way flight to Georgia in February; €103,751 for a one-way flight to Georgia in May and €324,714 for a return flight to Nigeria in June. Costs for the provision of supporting charter services such as ground handling services, on-board paramedics and flight manager have been €46,352 so far in 2025. The department added: "The potential value of this contract is €5m over the lifespan of the contract. The term of the contract is 3 years with a possibility to extend it twice by one year, a potential lifespan of 5 years in total. The total expenditure under the contract with Air Partner will be based on the number of Charter Flights provided, the frequency of which will be determined by the operational needs of the State." "So far in 2025, 106 people have been removed on charter deportation flights and 54 deportation orders have been enforced on commercial flights. The majority of these cases have involved periods of detention prior to departure. Any children removed were part of family groups and were not detained. Additionally, 23 people subject to deportation orders are confirmed to have left Ireland unescorted so far in 2025," the statement added. A person who is the subject of a deportation order may be held in detention for up to 56 days for the purpose of ensuring their deportation from the State. An application to extend this period of detention must be made to the District Court.
