Prison conditions 'national scandal' - prison officers

Prison officers have said violence, intimidation, weapons and drugs smuggling are all increasing in the country’s prisons because of overcrowding.

There are over 6,600 people in prison, over 1,900 more than the number of beds available.

The Prison Officers’ Association, which is holding its annual conference in Kilkenny, described conditions in the country’s prisons as "a national scandal".

Overcrowding has been the main problem in the country’s prisons for years and prison officers say the root cause of so many other problems in the prison system.

They said it enables organised crime gangs to flourish and ensures vulnerable inmates become more vulnerable.

It has led to an increase in violence and attacks on staff, and facilitates the increased smuggling of drugs, weapons and mobile phones.

Violent incidents increased from 1,093 in 2024 to 1,503 last year, up 37.5%, while direct attacks on prison officers increased by 23% from 107 to 132.

More people are being sent to prison but just one new prison has been built in the last 26 years.

The prison officers say successive Governments have failed them and the inmates they are supposed to be protecting and rehabilitating.

Acting President of the Association Peter Redmond said the number of prisoners sleeping on floor illustrates the neglect and a lack of interest and real commitment to a vulnerable section of society.

He also said that the almost 2,500 prisoners on a waiting list for psychological support represent a mental health crisis, and many will leave prison without assessment or treatment.

The POA also criticised the construction of 30 single occupancy modular housing units in the open prisons at Loughan House and Shelton Abbey, costing €15m, which it says is "an outrageous cost".

It also questions why these units are not being built in the overcrowded prisons such as Mountjoy, which has 324 inmates more than it can hold.

The association said responsibility lies with Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan and that while 70 additional prison spaces have been created since he was appointed, 460 more people have been sent to prison.