Prison system at 'breaking point' as capacity exceeded by over 400 prisoners
Independent TD Carol Nolan has spoken out about concerns over the prison system as data confirms that it is approaching a 'breaking point' - with capacity currently exceeded by over 400 prisoners.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has confirmed to the Laois-Offaly politician that while the current official prisoner capacity within the prison system is 4,519, as of September 9 2024, 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.
The minister also noted in her reply to the Independent TD that while the Irish Prison Service is working closely with officials in the Department of Justice to take steps to identify short-, medium- and long-term proposals to manage capacity issues in our prisons.
No decision has been made on the future use of Thornton Hall, which has become generated significant controversy recently after it was earmarked for International Protection services.
“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.
“[However] we also know from her reply that this on stream additional accommodation for over 1,100 people between will not be reached until 2030 at the earliest,” said Deputy Nolan.
The Thornton Hall site first came to public attention in 2005 when it was acquired by the State for €30 million, which was many multiples of the market value at the time.
The Department of Justice said the land would be used to build a super prison to replace an overcrowded Mountjoy jail.
She said: “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.”
The Laois-Offaly politician noted that there is growing concern among the population about the prison system – which she says is not fit for purpose.
“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,” said Deputy Nolan.