Written answers
Wednesday, 23 November 2005
Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform
Prison Population
9:00 pm
Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 78: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of prisoners in each of the State's prisons for each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35728/05]
Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The following table sets out the average number in custody in each institution for each year since 1997.
| Institution | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 |
| Arbour Hill Prison | 139 | 139 | 138 | 139 | 137 | 137 | 138 | 138 |
| Castlerea Prison | 25 | 109 | 195 | 190 | N/A | 193 | 195 | 210 |
| Cloverhill Prison | — | — | — | 213 | 386 | 386 | 375 | 392 |
| Cork Prison | 268 | 262 | 271 | 267 | 272 | 267 | 268 | 274 |
| Curragh | 72 | 94 | 93 | 94 | 100 | 92 | 98 | 8 |
| Fort Mitchel | 101 | 101 | 100 | 89 | 96 | 84 | 94 | 6 |
| Limerick Prison (Male) | 132 | 182 | 212 | 212 | 173 | 171 | 169 | 247 |
| Limerick Prison (Female) | 12 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 13 |
| Loughan House | 70 | 48 | 56 | 66 | 70 | 70 | 71 | 72 |
| Midlands Prison | — | — | — | 340 | 350 | 375 | 384 | 439 |
| Mountjoy Prison (Male) | 650 | 729 | 756 | 664 | 502 | 441 | 460 | 485 |
| Mountjoy Prison (Female) | 51 | 59 | 70 | 59 | 83 | 88 | 81 | 84 |
| Portlaoise Prison | 164 | 155 | 148 | 167 | 148 | 137 | 128 | 123 |
| St. Patrick's Institution | 208 | 187 | 194 | 193 | 203 | 179 | 188 | 198 |
| Shanganagh Castle | 48 | 41 | 39 | 28 | 25 | 23 | — | — |
| Shelton Abbey | 47 | 47 | 46 | 25 | 27 | 47 | 50 | 49 |
| Training Unit | 85 | 85 | 87 | 89 | 89 | 91 | 86 | 87 |
| Wheatfield Prison | 350 | 360 | 368 | 368 | 368 | 368 | 375 | 374 |
The Deputy will be interested to note that on 17 November 2005 there was a total of 110 persons or 3% of the prison population on temporary release, excluding day release. The corresponding figure in October 1996 was 550 which accounted for 19% of the prison population at that time.
It is my intention to replace outdated prison accommodation with new facilities which will eliminate the practice of slopping out and also seek to eliminate the practice of doubling up in cells which is prevalent throughout the system.
As part of this process, I can confirm that a total of 150 new spaces are being provided in the new Portlaoise C block which is due to be completed in 2007. I can also advise the Deputy that estimates of future space requirements are being refined by the Irish Prison Service in the context of planning for the development of the new prison complexes at north county Dublin and Spike Island.
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