Prison capacity is to be extended across the country, as a 102-cell new wing at Limerick Prison has been officially opened by Minister for Justice Simon Harris (5 May).

Plans to increase capacity in existing prisons across the country were announced at the recent Prison Officer Association annual conference in Galway.

The need for additional prison spaces arises because of significant population growth in recent years, as well as increases in judicial resources and numbers of Gardaí, the minister said.

Four short-term capital projects have been identified at Castlerea, Cloverhill, Midlands, and Mountjoy, that could deliver over 400 prison spaces over the next five years, accommodating 620 additional prisoners.

Irish Prison Service figures show there were 7,055 committals to prison in 2022, an increase of 919 (15%) on 2021 figures (6,136).  

New male and female prison accommodation in Limerick Prison will provide an additional 90 male spaces and 22 female cell spaces.

Training unit

The extended training unit in Mountjoy last year provided an additional 96 spaces.

In Castlerea, 25 additional four-inmate prisoner houses are planned, potentially providing additional spaces for 100 prisoners.

In Cloverhill, a new prison block for 110 cells in G wing, located between the existing A and B wings, could accommodate up to 190 additional prisoners.

A new 100-cell F wing in the Midlands Prison could accommodate up to 180 prisoners.

The newly-opened male prison facility at Limerick has enhanced prisoner work and training facilities and staff support facilities, as well as full in-cell sanitation, and will house 90 inmates.

And 22 additional female cell spaces are expected to become operational later this year.

As the minister visited Limerick Prison, several protestors outside held a banner that read ‘No Males in Women's Jails’.

Trans protest

The issue of transgender individuals being housed in female prisons has been controversial, with cases before the courts recently.

“I’m very conscious that the Irish Prison Service are currently finalising their own policy in relation to trans prisoners and I look forward to them doing that piece of work,” Minister Harris said.

“They’ll obviously be led through that work by best international practice, and look at how other countries have addressed this matter,” he said.