Catherine Murphy
Question:292. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of remand prisoners sharing cells with sentenced prisoners, by prison; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3478/24]
View answerThursday, 25 January 2024
Questions (292)
Written answers
I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Irish Prison Service. Unfortunately, it has not been possible to collate the information requested in the time allowed. I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to Parliamentary Question 292 for written reply on 25th January 2024 requesting the number of remand prisoners sharing cells with sentenced prisoners, by prison. You will recall it was not possible to provide the information requested at the time and I undertook to write to the Deputy directly when the information was available.
I can inform the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service is managing significant numbers of people held on remand or trial warrants which is contributing to pressures on prison accommodation. As the Deputy will be aware, the Irish Prison Service must accept all prisoners committed by the courts into custody and does not have the option to delay or refuse to take people into custody whether sentenced, remand or awaiting trial.
The information requested by the Deputy in respect to the number of remand prisoners sharing cells with sentenced prisoners as at 31st December 2023 is provided in the table below.
|
Establishment |
Remand prisoners sharing cells with sentenced prisoners |
|
Arbour Hill |
1 |
|
Castlerea Prison |
37 |
|
Cloverhill Remand Prison |
96 |
|
Cork Prison |
68 |
|
Limerick Prison (Female) |
5 |
|
Limerick Prison (Male) |
34 |
|
Midlands Prison |
67 |
|
Mountjoy Prison (Female) |
37 |
|
Mountjoy Prison (Male) |
7 |
|
Portlaoise Prison |
9 |
|
Wheatfield Prison |
54 |
|
Total |
415 |
I trust this information is of assistance.