Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 October 2007
104 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the operational capacity of Mountjoy Prison; the number of prisoners incarcerated in Mountjoy at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22536/07]
View answerI am informed by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that Mountjoy Prison currently has a bed capacity for 540 prisoners. As at 4 October, 2007, there were 514 prisoners in custody in Mountjoy out of a total prisoner population of 3,444. Every effort continues to be made to keep Mountjoy numbers at or below 540 by means of transfers to other prisons and the judicious use of temporary release.
By way of comparison, in 2004 Mountjoy had a bed capacity for 454 prisoners. On 4 October 2004, there were 472 prisoners in Mountjoy out of a total prisoner population of 3,406.
