Bernard J. Durkan
Question:129 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the average number of prisoners on a weekly basis in 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11296/00]
Written Answers. - Prison Statistics.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:130 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the total number of prison spaces available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11297/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 129 and 130 together.
The average number of prisoners in custody on a weekly basis to date in 2000 is set out in the following table.
|
Week ending Saturday |
Average number in custody |
|
8 January, 2000 |
2,578 |
|
15 January, 2000 |
2,650 |
|
22 January, 2000 |
2,721 |
|
29 January, 2000 |
2,769 |
|
5 February, 2000 |
2,822 |
|
12 February, 2000 |
2,868 |
|
19 February, 2000 |
2,887 |
|
26 February, 2000 |
2,892 |
|
4 March, 2000 |
2,936 |
|
11 March, 2000 |
2,922 |
|
18 March, 2000 |
2,912 |
|
25 March, 2000 |
2,891 |
|
1 April, 2000 |
2,884 |
|
8 April, 2000 |
2,898 |
The bed capacity of each institution is outlined in the following table.
|
Institution |
Bed Capacity |
|
Mountjoy (male) |
670 |
|
Mountjoy (female) |
70 |
|
St Patrick's Institution |
205 |
|
Cork |
270 |
|
Limerick (male) |
200 |
|
Limerick (female) |
12 |
|
Castlerea |
182 |
|
Cloverhill |
400 |
|
Wheatfield |
362 |
|
Portlaoise |
231 |
|
Arbour Hill |
138 |
|
Fort Mitchel |
102 |
|
Training Unit |
96 |
|
Curragh |
94 |
|
Loughan House |
85 |
|
Shanganagh Castle |
60 |
|
Shelton Abbey |
58 |
|
Total |
3,235 |
Mountjoy Prison consistently operates above bed capacity. St Patrick's Institution, Cork, and Limerick male and female prisons also operate above bed capacity on a regular basis. Cloverhill Prison has not yet reached full operating capacity although it is expected to do so shortly. Portlaoise operates below capacity for structural reasons around the need to segregate various groups. In addition, the open centres operate periodically below capacity due to insufficient numbers of offenders from time to time.