Irish Prisons Overwhelmed: Over 580 Inmates Freed on Temporary Release Amidst Overcrowding Crisis

Irish prisons are facing critical overcrowding, forcing the release of over 580 inmates, including those convicted of serious offenses. This move highlights the escalating strain on the penal system and raises concerns about public safety.

Scale of Temporary Releases

In mid-May, a significant number of prisoners were granted temporary release, with data from the Irish Prison Service (IPS) revealing that 46 individuals jailed for offenses such as attempted murder, assault, and harassment were among those freed under conditional terms.

Contributing Factors

The surge in temporary releases is directly attributed to chronic overcrowding, a problem that has worsened considerably over the past two years. Prison officials have repeatedly warned the Department of Justice about the serious risks posed to both staff and inmates due to these packed conditions.

Offense Breakdown

The majority of those granted temporary release were convicted of controlled drug offenses, with 157 individuals released. Theft offenses accounted for another large group, with 152 prisoners freed, followed by 72 serving sentences for road and traffic violations. Nine individuals convicted of robbery, extortion, or hijacking were also released, alongside 36 for burglary-related offenses and 40 for fraud and deception crimes. Five prisoners convicted of weapons and explosives offenses, and 12 for offenses against the state or organized crime, also received temporary release. A single inmate convicted of a homicide offense was granted this measure.

Disparity in Gender Releases

Further analysis of the figures indicates a notable disparity in temporary release rates between genders. Of the 584 individuals on temporary release, 131 were women, while 453 were men. This is particularly striking given that women constitute a significantly smaller portion of the overall prison population, typically less than 10%.

Specifically, 39 women were on temporary release from Limerick Prison, and 92 from the Dóchas Centre in Dublin. Mountjoy Men’s Prison reported 186 prisoners on temporary release.

Early Release for Long-Term Prisoners

The IPS confirmed that two individuals serving sentences exceeding 10 years were released early. One was a man from Mountjoy Prison imprisoned for attempted murder, assault, or harassment. The other was a woman from the Dóchas Centre, released from a 10-year fraud sentence.

System Capacity and Challenges

On May 13, the date for which these figures were collated, Ireland’s prisons held 5,350 inmates, with an additional 375 individuals sleeping on mattresses due to overcrowding. The total number of individuals under IPS management, including those on trial or on remand, reached 6,119. With an official capacity for only 4,666 prisoners, the system was operating at 115% capacity. The IPS stated that they are obligated to accept all individuals committed to prison by the courts, currently operating at 118% capacity, with 446 prisoners on mattresses and 586 on temporary release.

This situation aligns with broader trends in European prisons, where overcrowding remains a persistent issue. For example, a 2023 report by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) noted significant overcrowding in several EU member states, impacting living conditions and the well-being of both prisoners and staff.