Vol. 418 No. 7
136 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline the cost per month to the taxpayer and the Exchequer for the maintenance, boarding and upkeep of a prisoner in every prison in the State and in respect of the various sections, units and training units; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The annual cost of the operation of the prison system per head of the prison population was approximately £34,000 in 1991. This equates to approximately £2,800 per month.
These figures do not include any element in respect of capital expenditure. They are arrived at by taking the annual gross expenditure for the Prisons Vote, as shown in the Appropriation Accounts, deducting Appropriations-in-Aid and expenditure not connected with the running of the prisons (Probation and Welfare Service and community service orders' scheme, and adding relevant costs borne on other Votes (superannuation and teachers' salaries).
A breakdown between each prison and place of detention for 1991 is not available. The relevant breakdown for 1990 is as follows:
|
Prison-Place of Detention |
Daily Average |
Approximate Annual Cost per prisoner |
Approximate Monthly cost |
|
£ |
£ |
||
|
St. Patrick's Institution |
140 |
29,000 |
2,417 |
|
Mountjoy Prison |
616 |
28,000 |
2,333 |
|
Portlaoise Prison |
180 |
57,000 |
4,750 |
|
Limerick Prison |
160 |
37,500 |
3,125 |
|
Shanganagh Castle |
42 |
31,000 |
2,583 |
|
Cork Prison |
247 |
23,000 |
1,917 |
|
Loughan House |
69 |
35,000 |
2,917 |
|
Shelton Abbey |
54 |
27,000 |
2,250 |
|
Arbour Hill Prison |
141 |
26,000 |
2,167 |
|
Training Unit |
96 |
23,000 |
1,917 |
|
Wheatfield |
255 |
27,000 |
2,250 |
|
Fort Mitchel |
97 |
30,000 |
2,500 |
