The Prison Officers’ Association (POA) has sounded the alarm on the overcrowding crisis plaguing Irish prisons, branding the situation as “unsafe and unworkable.”
At the association’s annual delegate conference in Sligo, concerns were raised about the alarming prison population rise despite minimal capacity increases.
POA President Tony Power highlighted the significant surge in prisoners, with over 1,000 additional individuals incarcerated since 2019.
Despite this surge, there has been a negligible expansion in prison spaces, exacerbating issues of severe overcrowding.
The number of individuals in custody has reached nearly 5,000, marking a 25% increase compared to five years ago.
Power emphasised that overcrowding hampers rehabilitation efforts and creates an unsafe environment for both prisoners and staff.
In response to the crisis, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee announced government funding to address the issue.
€93 million in capital funding has been allocated as part of the National Development Plan for justice projects.
Preparatory work is slated to begin on various expansion projects across multiple prisons, aiming to provide space for up to 670 additional prisoners.
In addition to long-term solutions, short-term projects are being pursued by the Irish Prison Service to add 95 spaces by 2024.
Despite these efforts, concerns have been raised about the reliance on temporary release services to alleviate overcrowding.
The current prison population surpasses capacity, with over 5,590 individuals registered in the system.
This figure includes those in custody, on temporary release, receiving hospital treatment, or housed in the Central Mental Hospital.
The ongoing challenge of overcrowding underscores the urgent need for sustainable solutions to ensure the safety and effectiveness of Ireland’s prison system.
Addressing overcrowding requires a multi-faceted approach, including both short-term measures and long-term investments in infrastructure and rehabilitation programs.
Stakeholders must work together to tackle this pressing issue and uphold the principles of safety, rehabilitation, and justice within the Irish prison system.
