Numbers jailed for non-payment of fines up 89%

THERE was a big increase in the number of people sent to prison for non-payment of fines last year.

The annual report from the Irish Prison Service revealed a rise of 88.7% on the 2007 figure — from 1,335 in 2007 to 2,520 last year.

And while women only make up 11% of committals overall, in this category they feature much more than any other crime. Last year, 359 women and 2,416 men were jailed for non-payment of fines or debts. Debtor fines accounted for 255 of this.