The head of the Irish Prison Service has warned that the system’s capacity has been stretched “far beyond its limits”.
The service has published its annual report for 2024, in which it highlights the urgent need for expanded capacity amid mounting challenges that it faces.
According to the report, last year saw 766 more people taken into custody than the previous year – a rise of almost 10%.
The IPS said that of these, 77% of sentence committals were for 12 months or less.
The service said that in order to meet demand, it accelerated infrastructure investment.
It noted that €525m was allocated to it in Budget 2025, as well as funding 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”.
The report also shows that there was a 7.8% increase in the daily average number of prisoners in custody last year, in comparison to the previous year (4,582 in 2023 to 4,941 in 2024).
156% increase in prisoners sleeping on mattresses
At the end of last year, the prison population reached 5,001 with 213 prisoners sleeping on mattresses, a 156% from the previous year.
IPS Director General Caron McCaffrey said the past two years have demanded a great deal from the IPS and “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’ve tested those who work and live in our prisons. But even under strain, we’ve kept our focus: investing in modern infrastructure and supporting our staff.
“Our work is not just about managing numbers, it’s about transforming lives, promoting rehabilitation, reduce re-offending and help individuals lead law-abiding lives in turn creating safer communities.”
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The report also shows progress has been made in areas such as rehabilitation, infrastructure, and staff development.
The IPS said that last year it advanced its commitment to safer custody and meaningful rehabilitation and some key developments included the rollout of the Recovery College Framework, the launch of the Prisoner Online Payments System, and the expansion of vocational and educational programmes.
It said it also deepened its focus on staff wellbeing through the Employee Experience Framework, fostering a culture of care and professional growth.
Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan said that despite significant challenges, the report highlights the dedication of prison staff and the progress made in rehabilitation, education, and care.
“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,” he added.