Written answers
Tuesday, 7 November 2006
Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform
Prison Accommodation
8:00 pm
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 204: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of prison spaces currently occupied by more than one person to a cell; the highest number of prisoners to a cell; if this is in accordance with best practice; the action he proposes to take to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36579/06]
Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table.
| Institution | Cells/Units with occupancy of more than one person on 3 November 2006 |
| Mountjoy Prison | 61 double cells (2 persons in each) and 15 four person cells (4 in each) |
| Dóchas | Two single units (2 persons in each) and 1 single unit (occupied by 4 persons) |
| Castlerea Prison | 33 single cells (2 persons in each), 2 double cells (2 persons in each), 3 treble cells (3 persons in each) The Grove area — 7 double units (2 persons in each) and one treble unit (occupied by 3 persons) |
| Cork Prison | 6 single cells (2 persons in each) and 114 double cells (2 persons in each) |
| Limerick Prison (Male) | 98 single cells (2 persons in each) |
| Limerick Prison (Female) | 8 single cells (2 persons in each) |
| Wheatfield Prison | 60 double cells (2 persons in each) |
| Portlaoise Prison | 6 double cells (2 persons in each) and 2 treble cells (3 persons in each) |
| Loughan House | 31 double rooms (2 persons in each), 1 four person room (occupied by two people) and 1 four person room (occupied by three people) |
| Shelton Abbey | Dormitory accommodation provided for prisoners. 4 Four person rooms (4 persons in each), 1 Four person room (occupied by 3 persons), 1 Four person room (occupied by 2 persons), 1 Five person room (occupied by 5 persons), 2 Five person rooms (4 persons in each), 1 Six person room (occupied by 6 persons), 1 Six person room (occupied by 5 persons) and 1 Seven person room (occupied by 7 persons) |
| Cloverhill Prison* | 5 double cells (2 persons in each) and 120 treble cells (3 persons in each) |
| Midlands Prison | 20 treble cells (3 persons in each) |
| Arbour Hill Prison | 4 treble cells (3 in each), 1 treble cell (occupied by 2 persons) and 14 double cells (2 persons in each) |
| * The figures for Cloverhill Prison relate to capacity rather than occupancy. | |
| Note: All prisoners in the Training Unit Place of Detention and St. Patrick's Institution were single occupants of a cell on 3 November 2006. Accordingly, neither institution is included in the above table. Where possible, it is the aim of the Prison Service to provide single cell occupancy for all sentenced prisoners. Exceptions are made for some prisoners who actually seek to double-up. Prisoners may ask to share a cell with a friend or relative in custody and such requests are facilitated where possible. Doubling up may also occur from time to time to meet concerns about the physical/mental health of a prisoner. On Friday 3 November 2006, a total of 1,744 prisoners were single occupants of a cell or unit. |
It is anticipated that the new prison buildings at Thornton Hall and Spike Island will allow for increased single cell usage. The construction of new facilities will address the issue of cell occupancy levels and will, in addition, offer significant improvements in the areas of work training, education, medical services and in-cell sanitation. It must be noted, however, that accommodating prisoners is not simply a matter of matching the global prisoner population to a global figure for beds or cells. A number of factors have to be taken into account including the prisoners' age, gender, the nature of the offence, location, security and whether they are on remand or sentenced.
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