156% increase in prisoners sleeping on mattresses on the floor
Kenneth Fox
There has been a 156 per cent increase in the number of prisoners sleeping on mattresses on the floor because of overcrowding.
The head of the Irish Prison Service has warned capacity in the system has been stretched "far beyond its limits".
There were 766 more people were taken into custody last year, a rise of almost 10 per cent, according to the Irish Prison Service's annual report.
By the end of 2024 the prison population hit 5,000.
Speaking about the 2024 report, Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan said: “I welcome the publication of the Irish Prison Service’s 2024 Annual Report.
"This detailed account highlights the dedication of prison staff and the progress made in rehabilitation, education, and care, despite significant operational challenges.
"I commend the staff and management of the Prison Service for their commitment to dignity and safety across the prison estate. As Minister for Justice, I will continue working with the Prison Service to deliver vital infrastructure and ensure that our prison system remains fit for purpose, grounded in fairness, security, and meaningful reintegration.”
Despite these strides, the Irish Prison Service continues to face mounting challenges.
The daily average number of prisoners in custody rose to 4,941, a 7.8 per cent increase (+359) compared to 4,582 in 2023.
At year end, the population reached 5,001, with 213 prisoners sleeping on mattresses, up 156 per cent from the previous year.
Caron McCaffrey, director general of the Irish Prison Service said: “The past two years have demanded a great deal from the Irish Prison Service, perhaps more than any point in recent memory.
"We’ve faced a steep rise in committals, longer sentences, and population levels that have stretched our capacity far beyond its limits.
"These pressures have not only tested our operations, they have tested those who work and live in our prisons."
In 2024, 8,704 individuals were committed to custody, a 9.6 per cent increase (+766) compared to 2023.
Of these, 77 per cent of sentence committals were for 12 months or less, while there was an increase in in the number of Judges and the number of court sittings continue to place pressure on prison capacity.
To meet this demand, the Irish Prison Service accelerated infrastructure investment. In Budget 2025, the Government allocated €525 million, an 18 per cent increase from the previous year.
Minister O’Callaghan recently announced a €495 million commitment under the National Development Plan, which will fund major infrastructure projects at Castlerea, Cloverhill, Mountjoy, Portlaoise, Wheatfield, Midlands, Dóchas Centre, and the former Cork prison site.
