Prisons in Ireland
Prisons in Ireland
Prisons in Ireland: Ensuring Safety, Rehabilitation, and Support
The Irish prison system falls under the responsibility of the Minister for Justice, while the day-to-day operations are managed by the Irish Prison Service, an executive office within the Department of Justice.
The Irish Prison Service’s main role is to provide safe and secure custody for individuals committed by the courts, including those held on remand, detained on immigration matters, and sentenced to imprisonment. Additionally, the service focuses on facilitating rehabilitation and reducing reoffending rates while assisting prisoners with their reintegration into society upon release.
Prisons in Ireland
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Prisons in Ireland: Ensuring Safety, Rehabilitation, and Support
The Irish prison system falls under the responsibility of the Minister for Justice, while the day-to-day operations are managed by the Irish Prison Service, an executive office within the Department of Justice.
The Irish Prison Service’s main role is to provide safe and secure custody for individuals committed by the courts, including those held on remand, detained on immigration matters, and sentenced to imprisonment. Additionally, the service focuses on facilitating rehabilitation and reducing reoffending rates while assisting prisoners with their reintegration into society upon release.
Prison Facilities in Ireland The Irish prison system comprises 12 institutions, with ten being traditional closed facilities featuring internal and perimeter security, and two open centers with reduced security measures. Open prisons provide prisoners with more independence, responsibilities, educational, employment, and developmental opportunities to prepare them for reintegration into society.
Irish Prisons
Admission and Committal to Prison If an individual has been convicted of a crime and sentenced to imprisonment or remanded in custody, a judge will issue a warrant addressed to the Governor of one of the committal prisons listed above. The type of prison to which the person is committed depends on various factors, including the nature of the offense, previous behavior, security concerns, rehabilitation facilities, and proximity to their family home.
During the committal process, personal information will be recorded, and necessary procedures, such as search and medical examinations, will be conducted. Personal property will be listed, and banned items will be confiscated, while valuable items will be stored safely for return upon release. Adequate support and resources are provided for prisoners with a history of substance abuse or mental illness.
Prison Transfers Prisoners do not have a legal right to choose the prison where they serve their sentence. However, they can apply for a transfer to another prison if there is a valid reason. The Prison Service aims to place prisoners in a facility close to their home when possible. For international transfers, prisoners can apply to complete their sentence in their home country, subject to certain conditions and bilateral agreements.
Support for Families of Prisoners While there is no national organization specifically responsible for supporting families affected by imprisonment, several voluntary organizations offer assistance in this regard. These organizations include the Irish Penal Reform Trust, Care After Prison, Childhood Development Initiative, St. Nicholas Trust, and Bedford Row Family Project.
Immigration Detention Asylum seekers and irregular immigrants may be detained under Irish law for various reasons, including refusal of leave to land, outstanding deportation orders, and more. Specific criteria, such as posing a threat to public security or order, are considered before detaining international protection applicants. There is no maximum duration for detention, but judges can apply for consecutive 21-day periods.
Ireland Prisons Contact Details
Mountjoy Campus, Dublin
Campus Governor: Brian Murphy
Deputy Campus Governor: Eddie Mullins
Mountjoy Prison
North Circular Road, Dublin 7.
Tel: 01 8062800
Fax: 01 8062824
Governor: Tony Harris
Current operational capacity: 755
Daily average occupancy in 2017: 567
Recommended maximum: ***
Mountjoy Prison is a closed, medium security prison for males. It is the main committal prison for Dublin city.
Dóchas Centre
North Circular Road, Dublin 7.
Tel: 01 8858987
Fax: 01 8858910
Governor: Mary O’Connor
Current operational capacity: 105
Daily average occupancy in 2017: 116
Recommended maximum: 105
Dóchas Centre is a closed, medium security prison for females aged 18 years and over. It is the committal prison for females committed on remand or sentenced from all Courts outside the Munster area.
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West Dublin Prison Campus
Campus Governor: Martin O’Neill
Deputy Campus Governor: Frances Daly
Wheatfield Place of Detention
Cloverhill Road,
Clondalkin, Dublin 22.
Tel: 01 6209400
Fax: 01 6209430
Governor: Conal Healy
Current operational capacity: 550
Daily average occupancy in 2017: 438
Recommended maximum: 550 ***
Wheatfield Place of Detention is a closed, medium security place of detention for adult males.
Cloverhill Prison
Cloverhill Road,
Clondalkin, Dublin 22.
Tel: 01 6304530 / 01 6304531
Fax: 01 6304580
Governor: David Conroy
Current operational capacity: 431
Daily average occupancy in 2017: 356
Recommended maximum: 414 ***
Cloverhill Remand Prison is a closed, medium security prison for males, which primarily caters for remand prisoners committed from the Leinster area.
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Arbour Hill Prison
Arbour Hill, Dublin 7.
Tel: 01 6719333
Fax: 01 6799518
Governor: Liam Dowling
Current operational capacity: 142
Daily average occupancy in 2017: 133
Recommended maximum: 131
Arbour Hill Prison is a closed, medium security prison for males aged 18 years and over. Its prisoner profile is largely made up of long term sentenced prisoners.
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Limerick Prison
Mulgrave Street, Limerick.
Tel: 061 204700
Fax: 061 415116
Governor: Patrick Dawson
Current operational capacity: 210 males / 28 females
Daily average occupancy in 2017: 211 males / 28 females
Recommended maximum: 185 males / 24 females
Limerick prison is a closed, medium security prison for adult males and females. It is the committal prison for males for counties Clare, Limerick and Tipperary and for females for all six Munster counties.
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Cork Prison
Rathmore Road,
Cork City, Cork.
Tel: 021 4518800
Fax: 021 4518860
Governor: Patrick Dawson
Current operational capacity: 296
Daily average occupancy in 2017: 272
Recommended maximum: –
Cork Prison is a closed, medium security prison for adult males. It is the committal prison for counties Cork, Kerry and Waterford.
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Castlerea Prison
Harristown, Castlerea,
Co. Roscommon.
Tel: 094 96 25213
Fax: 094 96 26226
Governor: Martin Reilly
Current operational capacity: 340
Daily average occupancy in 2017: 292
Recommended maximum: 300
Castlerea Prison is a closed, medium security prison for adult males. It is the committal prison for remand and sentenced prisoners in Connaught and also takes committals from counties Cavan, Donegal and Longford.
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Loughan House Open Centre
Blacklion, Co. Cavan.
Tel: 071 9853059
Fax: 071 9853234
Governor: Maria Connolly
Current operational capacity: 140
Daily average occupancy in 2016: 109
Recommended maximum: 140
Loughan House Open Centre is an open, low-security prison for males aged 18 years and over who are regarded as requiring lower levels of security.
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Portlaoise Prison Campus
Acting Campus Governor: Ethel Gavin
Midlands Prison
Dublin Road, Portlaoise,
Co. Laois.
Tel: 05786 72110 / 72100
Fax: 05786 72219
Governor: Ultan Mortan
Current operational capacity: 870
Daily average occupancy in 2017: 818
Recommended maximum: 870
Midlands Prison is a closed, medium security prison for adult males. It is the committal prison for counties Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly and Westmeath.
Portlaoise Prison
Dublin Road, Portlaoise,
Co. Laois.
Tel: 05786 21318
Fax: 05786 20997
Governor: Daniel Robbins
Current operational capacity: 291
Daily Average Occupancy in 2017: 221
Recommended maximum: 291
Portlaoise Prison is a closed, high-security prison for males aged 17 years and over. It is the committal prison for those sent to custody from the Special Criminal Court and prisoners accommodated here include those linked with subversive crime.
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Shelton Abbey
Arklow, Co. Wicklow.
Tel: 0402 42300
Fax: 0402 42350
Governor: Kathy Hoctor
Current operational capacity: 115
Daily average occupancy in 2017: 98
Recommended maximum: 115
Shelton Abbey is an open, low security prison for males aged 19 years and over who are regarded as requiring lower levels of security.