Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Mar 1997

Vol. 475 No. 8

Written Answers. - Detention Centres.

John O'Donoghue

Question:

196 Mr. O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice the current number of detention places in our jail system; if she will give a breakdown of this figure by individual jails; the total current number of prisoners; and if he will give a breakdown of this figure by location, gender and principal offence. [6318/97]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

The information sought by the Deputy as at Monday, 3 March 1997 is as follows:

Male Prisoners — Remand and Sentenced

Institution	Maximum Capacity	Number in Custody
Mountjoy Prison	551*	623
Limerick Prison	126	133
Cork Prison	244	265
Arbour Hill Prison	135	136
Portlaoise Prison	207	162
Shelton Abbey	56	40
Training Unit	90	84
Loughan House	85	77
Fort Mitchel	102	100
St. Patrick's Institution	188	229
Shanganagh Castle	60	44
Wheatfield Place of Detention	320	310
Castlerea	25**	24
Curragh Prison	68**	65
Total	2,257	2,292

Female Prisoners — Remand and Sentenced

Institution	Maximum Capacity	Number in Custody
Mountjoy Prison	40	54
Limerick Prison	12	12
Total	52	66

*Not including spaces in the reception area or the separation unit (46 spaces) which is closed for renovation.

**Maximum capacity is to be increased to 40 in Castlerea and 100 in Curragh.

It should also be noted that there are from time to time spare spaces in the three open centres as there may not always be suitable offenders for transfer on any particular day.

It is not possible to give an exact breakdown of offences as this would entail the manual examination of all files of those in custody and such a use of staff time could not be justified. However, I can inform the Deputy that the typical percentage breakdown by category offence of the sentenced population in prison at any one time would be as follows: offences against the person, 27 per cent; offences against property with violence, 33 per cent; offences against property without violence, 23 per cent; other offences, 17 per cent. (Note: This final category includes those serving sentences for drugs offences — 5 per cent of the total approximately.)

About 11 per cent of the total population at any one time would be prisoners on remand or awaiting trial.