Pat Upton
Question:140 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Justice the number of prisoners who can be held in each prison in the country. [5580/95]
Written Answers. - Prison Accommodation.
There are no statutory limits on the numbers that can be held in custodial institutions in this country. There are however, practical considerations such as cell space, ability to provide reasonably tolerable facilities for prisoners and so on, which, in practice, means that there are limits to the numbers that can be held at a particular time. The latter figure varies, depending for example on refurbishment works that may be ongoing at institutions and other factors. The numbers held on 13 March are set out in the following table.
It should be explained that overcrowding has been a feature of prisons in this country for some time and that the numbers in custody on 13 March and indeed day-in-day-out for many years now, have exceeded what could be regarded as ideal, given the size and quality of facilities available at many of the institutions concerned.
|
Institution |
Capacity |
|
Mountjoy (Male) |
612 |
|
Mountjoy (Female) |
40 |
|
Limerick (Male) |
120 |
|
Limerick (Female) |
12 |
|
Cork |
250 |
|
Arbour Hill |
130 |
|
Portlaoise |
235 |
|
Shelton Abbey |
58 |
|
Training Unit |
96 |
|
Loughan House |
85 |
|
Fort Mitchel |
100 |
|
St. Patrick's |
117 |
|
Shanganagh Castle |
60 |
|
Wheatfield |
320 |
|
Total |
2,235 |