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Prison Accommodation Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 June 2014

Tuesday, 24 June 2014

Questions (509)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

509. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which adequate or sufficient prison spaces are available to meet requirements at the present time; the extent to which more than one prisoner is accommodated in a cell; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27407/14]

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Written answers

I wish to inform the Deputy that the overall bed capacity of the Irish Prison System is 4,179. On 23 June 2014 there were 3,958 prisoners in custody. This represents under 95% occupancy. I wish to inform the Deputy that on 1 April 2014 the cell accommodation census returned the following information. 2,044 prisoners were accommodated in single cells which accounted for 50% of all prisoners in custody on that date (4,103). In addition, there were 764 cells which accommodated 2 prisoners, 138 cells which accommodated three prisoners and 30 cells which accommodated 4 or more prisoners.

As the Deputy will appreciate the Irish Prison Service must accept all prisoners committed by the Courts into its custody and does not have the option of refusing committals. The Deputy will appreciate that my officials are concentrating on aligning our prisoner population numbers with the Inspector of Prisons' recommendations in those prisons with the highest levels of over-crowding, namely Cork Prison, Limerick Prison and the Dóchas Centre. In addition, a 40 month capital programme is being implemented to eliminate slopping out and to improve prison conditions in the older part of the prison estate.

I am advised by my officials that work is continuing on the modernisation project at Mountjoy prison. "D" Wing is the last wing requiring refurbishment and work commenced on this in May this year. On the completion of this, all cells in Mountjoy prison will have in cell sanitation facilities and this will complete slopping out in Mountjoy Prison in 2015. Refurbishment of the Mountjoy B and C wings was completed in 2012. "A" wing commenced in early January 2013 and was occupied earlier this year. In relation to Cork Prison, the contract was awarded late last year and construction began in January, 2014 with a completion date on the third quarter of 2015.

A Business Case for the Modernisation of Prison Facilities in Limerick Prison is currently in draft form. Part of the redevelopment includes the provision of high quality prison accommodation for female prisoners with capacity of approximately 50 individual cells and eight custodial apartments. Finally, the Deputy will be aware that a working group was established by my predecessor to conduct an all-encompassing strategic review of penal policy. The Group was asked to examine the role of penal policy in crime prevention, sentencing policies, alternatives to custody, custodial accommodation and regimes, reintegration and rehabilitation as well as any special issues relating to female offenders. The Group is expected to report shortly.

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