Bid to tackle overcrowding in female jail
The problem was highlighted in a recent report by the Strasbourg-based Committee for the Prevention of Torture.
The report hit out at the practice of three women being held in cells designed to cater for one prisoner.
Inadequate activities for women prisoners were also highlighted by the report.
A spokesman for the prison service yesterday confirmed 14 new cells had been opened at the women’s section, bringing the total to 23.
The new calls are all single occupancy, fitted with a toilet, wash-hand basin combination unit.
Two additional classrooms have also been provided as part of the new development.
The prison spokesman said: “Every effort is being made to increase access female prisoners have to the recently constructed purpose-built education block.”
Activities open to women prisoners include courses in art/ceramics, crafts, computers and gym classes.
The Strasbourg committee’s report was based on a visit carried out over a year ago. It said inmates complained about the state of hygiene in cells and the lack of detergent products to help keep cells clean.
Single occupancy cells, according to the report, always appeared to accommodate two women and frequently three, with the third inmate sleeping on a mattress on the floor or sharing a bed.
The report said a sliding screen for the in-cell toilet provided a degree of privacy from officers looking into the cell but provided no privacy from inmates sharing the cell.
Another section of the report stated: “Two showers were flooded due to drainage problems and only dispensed tepid water.”
Labour’s justice spokesman Pat Rabbitte said his party favours moving women prisoners and non-violent offenders into open prisons which would result in a saving of €30 million yearly.
