Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 December 2004
136 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of prison places currently occupied; the extent to which prison accommodation needs are currently being met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32724/04]
View answerThe number in custody on 1 December 2004 was 3,171, as against a total bed capacity of 3,329. A further 251 prisoners were on temporary release on that date.
On the date in question, 95% of the total bed capacity was in use. Moreover, before allocating a prisoner to a particular facility, account has to be taken of factors such as the prisoner's age, gender, the nature of the offence, security and whether they are on remand or sentenced. In addition, consideration must also be given to facilitating visits to the prisoner.
There is a clear need for new accommodation both to address the overcrowding difficulties that arise from time to time in individual prisons and to upgrade some of the existing prison capacity. In particular, I am determined to make progress in eliminating the need for slopping out. To this end, plans are in train for the possible building of two major prison developments, one on a green field site in the greater Dublin area and the other on Spike Island, County Cork. It is intended that these new facilities will offer significant improvements in the areas of work, training, educational and medical services for inmates as well as providing predominantly single cell accommodation with in-cell sanitation facilities.
