Prison overcrowding has stretched the State’s capacity “far beyond its limits,” the Irish Prison Service has warned, with demographic data revealing that over 1 in 10 people committed to prison last year (11.6%) were “of no fixed abode”.
Officially, around 0.2% to 0.3% of the overall Irish population are homeless, though this figure may not reflect some rough sleepers who may not be accounted for.
The warning came as the Service published its 2024 Annual Report on Thursday, outlining progress on rehabilitation and staffing, alongside record pressures on space. Director General Caron McCaffrey said population levels had tested both operations and people inside the system.
“The past two years have demanded a great deal from the Irish Prison Service, perhaps more than any point in recent memory,” she said.
“We’ve faced a steep rise in committals, longer sentences, and population levels that have stretched our capacity far beyond its limits.”
She added that the Service’s mission went beyond managing numbers.
“These pressures have not only tested our operations, they’ve tested those who work and live in our prisons,” McCaffrey continued.
“But even under strain, we’ve kept our focus: investing in modern infrastructure, and supporting our staff.”
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan welcomed the publication, commending staff and management for their work in difficult circumstances.
“This detailed account highlights the dedication of prison staff and the progress made in rehabilitation, education, and care, despite significant operational challenges,” the Fianna Fáil Minister said.
“As Minister for Justice, I will continue working with the Prison Service to deliver vital infrastructure and ensure that our prison system remains fit for purpose, grounded in fairness, security, and meaningful reintegration.”
The report shows the daily average number of prisoners in custody rose to 4,941 in 2024, up 7.8% from the previous year. At year end, the population reached 5,001, with 213 prisoners sleeping on mattresses – a 156% increase compared to 2023.
A total of 8,704 individuals were committed to custody during the year, a 9.6% rise. Of these, 77% of sentence committals were for 12 months or less. Remand committals accounted for 38% of the total, while immigration-related committals rose by 65% to 209.
The report also recorded an increase in costs, with the average annual expense of a staffed prison space rising to €99,072, up almost 12% from 2023.
To respond to growing demand, the Government allocated €525 million for the Prison Service in Budget 2025, an 18% increase. O’Callaghan also announced a €495 million commitment under the National Development Plan, with major projects planned for Castlerea, Cloverhill, Mountjoy, Portlaoise, Wheatfield, Midlands, Dóchas Centre, and the former Cork prison site.
Alongside capacity issues, the Service highlighted initiatives such as the Recovery College Framework, the Prisoner Online Payments System, and vocational education programmes. Other developments included new staff recruitment, healthcare innovation, and sustainability projects.
Ireland’s prison system has experienced steady increases in committals in recent years, with Dublin remaining the most common county of origin for prisoners.
75.3% of committals were registered Irish nationals.
Other notable nationalities include:
– EU citizens (non-Irish): 11.7%
– African nationals: 4.2%
– Asian nationals: 2.5%
– South American nationals: 1.2%
– British: 1.9%