Overcrowding sees 110 inmates released early

MORE than 110 prisoners were given early release in a 10-day period this month because of overcrowding.

Some had up to three months left to complete their sentences.

The figures came after the governor of Mountjoy Jail, John Lonergan, told how inmates were forced to sleep on the floor because of overcrowding. He said that the practice of sending people to jail for minor offences was partly responsible.

Prison Service figures show 34 prisoners were released early from July 14-23 from Cork Prison, which holds 271 inmates.

Mountjoy released 44 prisoners, including seven with release dates in October.

Twenty-one prisoners were released from Limerick Jail.

Midlands Prison released 13, all of whom were due out in July or August.

Fine Gael justice spokesman Jim O’Keefe blamed the releases on government incompetence.

“We have a situation whereby 325 prisoners are unlawfully at large, yet 323 prisoners have been jailed for non-payment of fines.

“Now we have a situation where more than 100 inmates are released over a short period of time because of overcrowding.

“A prisoner’s release date should not be affected by the availability, or lack, of accommodation in the jails.”

A spokeswoman for the prison service said that when a surge in the prison population occurred, suitable prisoners who are coming to the end of their sentences, are occasionally released.