Jim Higgins
Question:154 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons in prison; and the number of staff employed in prisons. [6319/00]
Written Answers. - Prison Statistics.
There were 2,933 persons in custody in Irish Prisons on Monday 28 February 2000. As of the same date, the number of staff of all grades, including doctors, chaplains and staff cooks was 3,156. It should be noted that the current staffing includes a level of supernumerary officers who were recruited in the context of the need to staff the new prisons at Cloverhill and Portlaoise. These officers are receiving on-the-job experience prior to being reassigned.