Prison overcrowding posing threat to safety, minister warned

Justice Minister Helen McEntee was told jails have no capacity to safely accommodate a sudden rise in prisoners in case of “widespread public disorder” – because of record levels of overcrowding.

She was warned that the appointment of extra judges and increased court sittings could also lead to the system becoming even more overwhelmed.

With record numbers of people in custody, a department submission said: “Operating above capacity has become an unwanted standard in 2023 and into 2024. This has considerable negative impact on safety and the functioning of the prisons, but it should also be noted that the Irish prison estate currently has no space to safely accommodate any sudden surge in its population.”

It said this type of ‘surge’ could happen in the event of public disorder, such as the rioting that took place in Dublin last year, or from increased activity in the courts.

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In another briefing, McEntee was told that inappropriate conduct by a small minority of prison staff had led to unsafe acts and conditions in jails. She was advised that “unethical, and in some cases, unlawful behaviour” by employees was being tackled.

Enhanced supervision for staff with “declared issues” has been introduced.

McEntee was also told a system of targeted drug testing for “identified staff” was to be introduced as soon as a random programme of testing was underway.

The minister has been repeatedly briefed on Ireland’s creaking jail system this year, with prisons frequently operating at above 100 percent capacity.

One document said: “The prison service considers that the population should not go above 95 percent…of the total capacity. Going above this risks the safety of staff and prisoners alike.”

McEntee was told this was putting prisons under intense “operational stress” because of an “unprecedented increase” in inmate numbers. The document said: “Prison overcrowding leads to an increased risk of violence for prisoners, threatens the health and safety of prison officers, and undermines the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders, ultimately resulting in an increased threat to public safety.”

The briefing said extra capacity of at least 650 spaces would be needed over the next three to five years. “Beyond that timeframe, further capacity will be needed,” officials wrote.

A department spokesman said significant funding had been made available to provide extra prison spaces.

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