Cork Prison hit by ‘perfect storm’ of bad conditions

Cork Prison is being hit by a “perfect storm” of high committal numbers, crumbling facilities, serious overcrowding, and poor mental health services.

The Irish Penal Reform Trust said there needed to be engagement with the judiciary in Munster to try and cut the high number of offenders being sent to Cork Prison, particularly for not paying court fines.

Figures published this week in the Irish Examiner as part of a special report on Cork Prison, show committal figures have risen sharply, from 1,739 in 2008 to 2,798 in 2012, with 2,599 up to the end of November.