Watchdog: Prisoners sleeping on mattresses on floors 'wedged next to unpartitioned toilets'

A range of prison sources have told the Irish Examiner that they are very concerned over the coming months, with a combination of packed cells and warm weather along with greater competition among inmates for services, including phone calls, visits and access to gyms and workshops. File picture: Eddie O'Hare

The Inspector of Prisons has said the record levels of overcrowding in jails is “deplorable” and that he has been “sounding the alarm” of the crisis since he took up the position in August 2022.

Mark Kelly also expressed grave concern at the “undesirable uptick in physical violence” the worsening overcrowding will cause, in addition to the impact on the physical and mental health of inmates.