1,000 extra jail spaces will see prison population surpass EU average

IRELAND’S prison population is set to jump above the EU average under Government plans to build an extra 1,000 jail spaces.

The World Prison Population List, published yesterday, shows Ireland is currently well below the average EU prison population rate of 105 people per 100,000 of the population.

But under plans by Justice Minister Michael McDowell, Ireland’s prison population will increase from 3,417 to 4,445.