Written answers
Thursday, 13 May 2004
Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform
Prison Statistics
5:00 pm
Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 175: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the average number of prisoners held in State prisons in the years 1998 to 2003, inclusive; and his estimate of recidivism in the total prison population in each of those years. [14075/04]
Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The average number of prisoners in custody for the years referred to are as follows:
| Year | Average number of prisoners in custody |
| 1998 | 2,610 |
| 1999 | 2,763 |
| 2000 | 2,919 |
| 2001 | 3,112 |
| 2002 | 3,165 |
| 2003 | Being finalised |
Official statistics for 2003 are being finalised and will be contained in the Prison Service annual report for 2003 that will be released in the coming months. It is expected that the figure will indicate a marginal increase on the average number of prisoners in custody for 2002.
While accurate figures on rates of recidivism in the prisoner population are not yet available, the computerisation of prisoner records from 2001 will in future provide a more detailed view of a prisoner's past committal history. Recently the director general of the Prison Service commissioned a major three year research project on the topic. He hopes to present an accurate picture of recidivism. It will assist and shape the way we manage prison sentences in the future. The findings of the research are expected in early 2007.
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