Overcrowding forces early release of 45 prisoners

CHRONIC overcrowding has forced the early release of 45 prisoners from Cork Prison in recent days in a stark illustration of the “revolving door” situation, it was claimed yesterday.

The inmates, who were due for early release within a few months, were let out earlier than expected to make room for other prisoners, a solicitor said. Colm Burke, who is also a Fine Gael city councillor, said the releases highlighted Cork Prison’s “revolving door”.

“As soon as prisoners are escorted to the prison by the gardaí, the prison authorities are required to release an equivalent number of prisoners, anything up to three to four months before they were entitled to be released, to make way for the new prisoners,” he said.