Jail population continues to rise

The number of people being sent to Irish jails continues to rise, while the cost of providing prison places has also soared.

The Irish Prison Service's annual report for 2008 showed that there was an increase of 13.6 per cent on the overall total number of committals to prison to 13,557 and a rise of almost 25 per cent to 8,043 in those committed to prison under sentence during the year.

The report took a snapshot of the prison population on a given day in 2007 and 2008, and found that there was an increase of almost 11 per cent in the number of people in custody, at 3,695.

The cost of prison places has also increased, with the average cost rising 8.6 per cent in 2008 to €92,717 compared to a year earlier. The main factor in driving up costs was the national wage agreement, the report said.

The increase in numbers of people in custody has been attributed to increasing success in prosecuting criminals and extra court sittings.

The number of people serving sentences over 10 years has increased by more than 38 per cent, mainly due to a rising number of drugs convictions. The report also found a considerable increase in the numbers committed for non-payment of a court ordered fine during 2008, rising 88.7 per cent to 2,520.

To cope with the growing numbers, investment has been made to provide extra spaces in Irish prisons, the report said. An additional 400 prison spaces are expected to be available this year.

The report also clarified the progress on the planned Thornton Hall prison complex, which got the go-ahead from the Government last month.

The new prison will be built on a phased basis, with work on phase one expected to start early next year. This will include essential preliminary work required for development of the complex, such as the construction of an access route, services and perimeter wall. An EU-wide tender competition for the main prison buildings will be opened next year.

"The construction of the main prison buildings should take no more than three years from the date of the signing of a contract," the report said.

When completed, the prison at Thornton will have a capacity of 1,400 in single occupancy cells, but will be able to accommodate up to 2,080 prisoners.

The port also outlined new security measures that have been brought in to deal with the trafficking of contraband items such as drugs, weapons and mobile phones into prisons.

"The roll-out of the various elements commenced in May 2008 with the establishment of the Operational Support Group, comprising the Operational Support Unit, the Security Screening Unit and the Canine Unit. The introduction of these measures has proved a vital tool in ensuring the safety and security of prisoners and staff alike," Director General of the Irish Prison Service Brian Purcell said.

"Screening is now fully in operation for all staff and visitors entering our closed prisons . . . and airport-style walk through detectors are installed in each closed prison, and every visitor and member of staff is required to pass through the detector before being granted access to the prison."

Technology installed to prevent the use of mobile phones in Midlands Prison in November 2008 on a pilot basis will be rolled out on a phased basis to other closed prisons, the report said.

The Irish Penal Reform Trust said the increase in the prison population was of "great concern". It questioned the benefits of areas of imprisoning people for non-payment of court ordered fines and mandatory sentencing leading. It also raised concerns over plans to increase capacity in the system.

"Increasing the size and numbers in our prisons does not — and will not — reduce levels of crime. It merely serves to increase prisoner numbers. Instead, building smaller prisons within the community, with emphasis on alternatives to custody and prison as a last resort, while investing in early intervention and prevention measures, will be of far greater benefit to society," the group said.