LAST UPDATE | 30 Apr

THE PRESIDENT OF the Irish Prison Officers Association (POA) has said that overcrowding in prisons is a “national scandal” and that dire conditions are allowing gangs and “bullies” to “thrive”. 

Speaking at the POA annual delegate conference in Kilkenny last night, Peter Redmond said that there are now a record 5909 prisoners in custody (according to the latest figures released in March), despite the fact  that Ireland’s prisons only hold capacity for 4736 people. 

“This represents a shortfall of 1173 bed spaces,” he said. 

“Overcrowding allows the bullies and gangs to thrive and ensures that the vulnerable prisoner becomes even more vulnerable,” Redmond added. 

Figures released by the Irish Prison Service (IPS) today show a rise in prisoner on prisoner violent incidents in prisons in 2025, as well as a rise in assaults on prison staff members.  

Prisoner on prisoner physical assaults rose by 37% to 1197 incidents, and direct assaults by prisoners on staff increased by 23% up to 132 incidents. 

In particular there was a sharp rise in the numbers of weapons seized (441 compared to 260 in 2024) and in the seizure of phones and drugs. 

Officials from both the POA and the IPS said that rising levels of violence and contraband detection are linked to overcrowding, as the prison population is at an all- time high. 

The IPS highlighted that 700 bunkbed spaces have been added to prisons since 2023. 

Despite these additions, in prisons today, 544 prisoners are sleeping on mattresses on cell floors due to a lack of space. 

‘Successive Governments have failed us’ 

Redmond said that the level of intimidation, violence, and the availability of contraband including drugs and weapons continues to increase as a result of overcrowding. 

Redmond highlighted that while the prison population has doubled over the last five years, just one new prison has been built in that time. 

“Successive governments have failed us and the prisoners we are supposedly rehabilitating.

“The Midlands prison for example has a bed capacity of 891, there are 1,128 prisoners in custody there today and 160 prisoners sleeping on a cell floor – is this progress? No, It’s neglect and a lack of interest and real commitment,” he said. 

Redmond stressed the need for independent living units for longterm prisoners who are nearing the end of their sentences, and looking towards rebuilding their lives upon their release. 

He said that though the POA recognises this need, it strongly disagrees with single occupancy units being constructed at Mountjoy prison at a time when it is over capacity by 324 prisoners. 

Deputy General Secretary Gabriel Keaveny said that prisons are in an ongoing “state of crisis” and that prison officers are facing an “impossible task” on a daily basis. 

He further said that it is a “shocking indictment” on the Government that almost 10% of the prison population are sleeping on cell floors. 

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Redmond said that Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan is responsible for improving the conditions in prisons, but that during his tenure to date, only 70 new bed spaces have come on stream. 

Today POA delegates will have discussions on the increase in violence in Irish prisons recorded in 2025, and the increasing levels of direct assaults on members of their workforce. 

Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan will attend the conference this evening.