30 female prisoners crammed into 10 single cells

THIRTY female prisoners – including two pregnant inmates – were “crammed” into 10 single cells in Limerick Prison last week, according to figures.

The cells measure around 13ft by 7ft and include a double bunk bed, a partially screened toilet and, if necessary, a mattress for a third person.

Figures provided by the Prison Officers’ Association (POA) show a worsening overcrowding problem right across the prison system.

“It is not acceptable for 30 women to be crammed into cells designed for 10,” said Tom Delaney, information officer of the POA.

He said overcrowding was a particular problem in prisons like Cork and Mountjoy where inmates have to “slop out” in front of each other.

POA figures from May 13 show:

298 inmates were crammed into Cork Prison, which the POA says has a cell design capacity of 150.

670 prisoners were packed into Mountjoy Prison, with a design capacity of 450.

265 were housed in Castlerea Prison, with a design capacity of 150.

421 inmates were squeezed into Wheatfield, with a design capacity of 320.

The POA said 142 inmates were sleeping on mattresses on the floor, including 33 in the midlands, 23 in Cork, 21 in Castlerea and 20 in both Mountjoy and Limerick male prison.

Overall, the POA figures suggest the entire system is around 23% over design capacity.

“Management is not dealing with the overcrowding problem,” said Mr Delaney.

“The Prison Service attitude is that if they can put bunk beds into cells there is no overcrowding. Overcrowding creates massive health and safety problems for prison officers.”

Independent inspectors have repeatedly highlighted overcrowding, including in Limerick female prison.

The 2007 report of the Limerick Prison Visiting Committee said the maximum bed capacity was 12, but this had been “exceeded excessively”.

In his 2006 report, the Inspector of Prisons, said the female section was “extremely small and cramped”. He said there were 10 single cells, “all of which are doubled and even accommodate sometimes three to a cell”.

A Prison Service spokes- man said there were 25 female prisoners in Limerick on May 13. He said this included two pregnant women, who have since left custody.

He said the capacity of the 10 cells is 20. He said that, “while not ideal”, they could exceed that if necessary. He said the in-cell toilets were screened to provide privacy.

However, prison officers say the screens are only partial.

The Prison Service spokesman said total prison numbers yesterday were 6% over bed capacity. He said mattresses were provided from “time to time”.

The spokesman said 400 extra spaces would be provided in the coming months and the plan was to replace much of the prison population in Cork and Limerick prisons, including the female wing, with a new prison at Kilworth, Cork.