Fifty inmates without a bed at Cork Prison, latest figures show 

Fifty inmates in Cork Prison are without a bed, as daily figures show the facility was at 117% capacity as of the start of this week.

There were 346 people in the prison, which has a capacity of 296, on Monday, down from 349 on Friday and 351 on Thursday of last week, with almost 70 prisoners currently out on temporary release.

The figures represent an increase of more than 10% from this time last year. The Irish prison system as a whole is at 113% capacity, with 5,069 people in custody and only 4,519 beds.

A spokesperson for the Irish Prison Service (IPS) told The Echo the IPS “must accept into custody all people committed to prison by the courts” and that it makes makes “every effort” to find solutions when overcrowding occurs.

“As such, the Irish Prison Service has no control over the numbers committed to custody at any given time,” the spokesperson said.

“The Irish Prison Service is working closely with the Department of Justice to ensure a safe working environment for staff, and the safety and security of all those in custody.

“Where the number of people in custody exceeds the maximum capacity in any prison, the Irish Prison Service makes every effort to deal with this, through a combination of inter-prison transfers and appropriate use of structured temporary release.

“Each application is considered on its individual merits, and the safety of the public is paramount when decisions are made.”

IPS identified short-, medium-, and long-term opportunities to deal with increases in the number of people in custody, including the development of infrastructure to meet capacity requirements.

Ms McEntee secured record funding of €525m to tackle overcrowding in the prison system in Budget 2025, the spokesperson said.

“The Irish Prison Service continues to engage with the Department of Justice to progress plans to bring on stream accommodation for over 1,100 prisoners between 2024 and 2030,” they added.

Old Cork Prison 

One plan that is being considered is the reopening of the old Cork Prison, which closed in 2016, following the transfer of prisoners to the new facility, built on a site adjacent to the former prison.

The old facility would likely require significant work to get it up to standard.

The spokesperson explained that the former prison had been “subject to criticism in a number of reports” and a 2012 feasibility study highlighted that the facilities fell short of expected standards for health and safety.

“The facility... is in a poor physical state and unsuitable for use in its current form,” the spokesperson said, but added that a detailed assessment of the site began late last year.

A feasibility report on the site was completed last month, with Ms McEntee confirming previously that they are considering its use as prisoner accommodation.

The spokesperson said the draft report has been received by IPS “and it is currently being considered, with future consultations with the Department of Justice on any decision, if viable options are to be progressed”.