Prison Service defends €550k cost of TV and channel services for inmates

The inside of a prison cell at Cork Prison. According to newly-released data, 2,304 'in cell' TV sets were provided to prisons last year, costing a total of €445,272.71. Picture: Dan Linehan

The Irish Prison Service (IPS) has defended the soaring costs of providing televisions and premium channels to the nation's inmates, after taxpayers were billed over €550,000 last year.

Just over €551,000 was spent by prison chiefs in 2023 to supply prisoners with both TVs and access to multi-channel services like Sky Sports and Netflix. The figure represents an increase from 2022 when €500,000 was spent and an even bigger hike from the previous year's bill of just under €320,000.

However, prison chiefs attributed the increased bill to the purchase of an "additional stock" of hundreds of TV sets to bulk up its stock of spare units. According to newly-released data, 2,304 'in cell' TV sets were provided to prisons last year, costing a total of €445,272.71.

Dublin's Mountjoy Prison received 450 units, while Wheatfield Prison was supplied with 408 units. The biggest recipient was the Building Service Division, which took a delivery of 500 additional TV sets.

The IPS said the decision for the bulk order of spare TVs was necessary, as the brand — a Walker 24-inch, priced at €156.90 each, excluding VAT — won't be available to purchase in the near future.

Separately, an additional €32,900.90 was spent in 2023 on larger TVs for other parts of the jails, including staff areas, recreation rooms, visiting areas and other communal spaces.

The total spend for last year also includes a €72,862.90 bill for multi-channel services, which includes the provision of Netflix and Sky Sports in all prisons. The IPS attributed last year's increased bill to the order of extra spare units, while noting that the number of committals to prison had risen last year.

An IPS spokesperson said: "Additional TVs were purchased due to the fact that the particular TVs used in prison cells are coming to 'end of life' and, as a result, will no longer be available to purchase. 

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"The IPS has purchased some additional stock that is being held in Building Service Division for prisons to access once they are no longer available from the contracted supplier.

"It is important to note that TVs installed in prison cells suffer from extensive wear and tear, representing the usage of same with approximately 8,000 committals to prisons last year as well as suffering damage from time to time. When there is deliberate damage to a TV by a prisoner, the prisoner may be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the prison rules and liable to contribute towards the cost of repairs."

The IPS also stressed that giving prisoners access to TVs behind bars has helped reduced cases of self-harm and suicide, while making the country's jails safer environments for both inmates and staff.

The spokesperson added: "The other key benefit has been lessening of tension on the landings in that it helps to maintain a less volatile atmosphere and thus reduces incidents of conflict and violence amongst prisoners."

Under the prisoner gratuity policy, a charge — which equates to 15c per day — is levied on all inmates to cover the cost of in-cell TV services.