The Irish Prison Service’s 2023 Annual Report has highlighted a significant increase in prison committals and daily prisoner populations, with close to a 13% rise in the number of people sent to prison compared to the previous year.
In 2023, 6,495 individuals were committed to prison, accounting for 7,938 total committals – an increase of 895 from 2022. The daily average number of prisoners also jumped by 11.1%, rising from 4,122 to 4,582.
According to The Journal, the demographic breakdown shows that 87.9% of those committed were male, with a notable 23.7% increase in the daily average number of female offenders in custody.
The Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) expressed concerns about the rising numbers, particularly highlighting the increase in committals for non-payment of court-ordered fines, which rose from 205 to 552 in 2023.
On a positive note, the report revealed improvements in prison services. Some 1,627 people attended 9,252 psychologist sessions, with 2,278 individuals referred to psychology services last year.
IPRT Executive Director Saoirse Brady called on the incoming government to prioritize alternatives to imprisonment, citing a poll showing 81% of adults believe alternative solutions for non-violent offences should be explored.
“We urge the incoming government to engage with proposals that can reduce prison populations and deal with offenders in a more effective, humane, and less costly manner,” Brady said.
The report underscores ongoing challenges in Ireland’s criminal justice system, with the IPRT warning of chronic overcrowding and recommending a shift from simply building more prison spaces to implementing more comprehensive solutions.