Question:
162 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the names of all prisons here; the number of men and women offenders within each prison; and the capacity of each prison. [4139/01]
Written Answers. - Prison Accommodation.
The information requested by the Deputy is laid out in the following table.
|
Institution |
Official Bed Capacity |
Number in custody on 8 February, 2001 |
|
Mountjoy Prison |
670 |
611 |
|
Dóchas Centre |
70 |
73 |
|
St Patrick'sInstitution |
220 |
194 |
|
Cork Prison |
270 |
282 |
|
Limerick Prison(Male) |
200 |
183 |
|
Limerick Prison(Female) |
12 |
14 |
|
Castlerea Prison |
182 |
189 |
|
Cloverhill Prison |
400 |
315 |
|
Midlands Prison |
515 |
104 |
|
Portlaoise Prison |
231 |
159 |
|
Arbour Hill Prison |
138 |
135 |
|
Wheatfield |
368 |
360 |
|
Fort Mitchel |
102 |
102 |
|
The Training Unit |
96 |
89 |
|
The Curragh |
94 |
98 |
|
Loughan House |
85 |
81 |
|
Shelton Abbey |
58 |
25 |
|
Shanganagh Castle |
60 |
24 |
Mountjoy Prison, Portlaoise Prison, Limerick Prison and Shelton Abbey are currently operating below capacity to allow for planned refurbishment as part of the prison building programme. Shanganagh Castle, as an open prison for young offenders, has a rigorous admissions policy which can result in low prisoner numbers being held there from time to time.
In addition Portlaoise Prison operates below capacity for security reasons and because part of the accommodation there is sub-standard.
The Midlands Prison is a brand new institution and it's population is being increased on a phased basis for sound operational reasons. As the Midlands Prison expands its inmate population, further decreases will take place at Mountjoy Prison to facilitate the major refurbishment programme at that location.