Ireland to have fourth largest jail population in EU

IRELAND will have the fourth highest prison population in the EU, if Justice Minister Michael McDowell proceeds with his plan to increase places by a third.

The number held in prison is currently well below the average of the 15 EU states, at 85 per 100,000 people. However, that number, taking into account population increases, will rise to around 110 when new facilities are built at Spike Island in Cork and in Dublin. Only Britain, Portugal and Spain have a higher rate of incarceration.

The justice minister plans to build a e100m jail for over 1,000 inmates to replace the four on the Mountjoy complex in Dublin and an 800-inmate facility to replace Fort Mitchell and Cork.