The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.
Institution
|
Total number of Cells with more than 1 prisoner
|
Breakdown of occupancy of more than one person on 7 July 2008
|
Mountjoy Prison
|
109
|
93 cells with 2 persons in each
16 cells with 4 persons in each
|
Dóchas Centre
|
14
|
11 cells with 2 persons in each
3 cells with 3 persons in each
|
Castlerea Prison
|
41
|
36 cells with 2 persons in each
1 cell with 3 persons in each
4 cells with 4 persons in each
|
Cork Prison
|
127
|
9 cells with 3 persons in each
118 cells with 2 persons in each
|
Limerick Prison (Male)
|
98
|
89 cells with 2 persons in each
9 cells with 3 persons in each
|
Limerick Prison (Female)
|
10
|
7 cells with 2 persons in each
3 cells with 3 persons in each
|
Wheatfield Prison
|
112
|
112 cells with 2 persons in each
|
Training Unit
|
9
|
9 cells with 2 persons in each
|
Portlaoise Prison
|
6
|
6 cells with 2 persons in each
|
Loughan House
|
22
|
19 cells with 2 persons in each
1 cell with 3 persons
2 cells with 4 persons in each
|
Shelton Abbey
|
9
|
1 room with 3 persons
2 rooms with 4 persons in each
3 rooms with 5 persons in each
2 rooms with 6 persons in each
1 room with 7 persons
|
Cloverhill Prison*
|
131
|
11 cells with 2 persons in each
120 cells with 3 persons in each
|
Midlands Prison
|
22
|
15 cells with 4 persons in each
6 cells with 3 persons in each
1 cell with 2 persons
|
Arbour Hill Prison
|
23
|
5 cells with 4 persons in each
18 cells with 2 persons in each
|
*The figures for Cloverhill Prison relate to capacity rather then occupancy.
Where possible, it is the aim of the Prison Service to provide single cell occupancy for all sentenced prisoners. Exceptions are made for some prisoners who actually seek to double-up. Prisoners may ask to share a cell with a friend or relative in custody and such requests are facilitated where possible. Doubling up may also occur from time to time to meet concerns about the physical/mental health of a prisoner.
It is anticipated that the new prison buildings at Castlerea, Portlaoise and Wheatfield Prisons, as well as Thornton Hall and Kilworth will allow for increased single cell usage. The construction of new facilities will address the issue of cell occupancy levels and will, in addition, offer significant improvements in the areas of work training, education, medical services and in-cell sanitation.
It must be noted, however, that accommodating prisoners is not simply a matter of matching the global prisoner population to a global figure for beds or cells. A number of factors have to be taken into account including the prisoner's age, gender, the nature of the offence, location, security and whether they are on remand or sentenced.