15% of prisoners are foreign nationals, with most from other EU states

Just under one in seven inmates in Irish jails are foreign nationals, with the vast bulk of them from other EU states, according to new research.

Just under one in seven inmates in Irish jails are foreign nationals, with the vast bulk of them from other EU states, according to new research.

A study by criminologists at Maynooth University found that Ireland’s rate (15%) of foreign national prisoners (FNPs) is the same as the EU median.

The rate in Ireland is far lower than most Western European countries, such as Belgium (43%), Italy (32%), Spain (29%), and Denmark (28%). Ireland is ahead of England and Wales (12%) and the North (10.5%).

The research highlights that the vast majority of FNPs in Ireland are from EU countries, accounting for 12% (702) of the total prison population.

Only 3.4% (196) are African nationals, 1.6% (90) are Asian and just 0.2% (14) are from the Middle East.

CSO figures from Census 2022 show that non-Irish citizens account for 12% of the general population.

In what is thought to be the first comprehensive examination of the needs of FNPs in Irish prisons, the Maynooth University study called for a “dedicated service” within the system for this group of prisoners.

Additional difficulties

It said FNPs experience additional difficulties to what other prisoners face, including language barriers, isolation and ad hoc provision of services.

The analysis - conducted by a team of academics at Maynooth School of Law and Criminology – was based on interviews with 82 inmates, from 22 countries, in eight prisons. It was conducted over a 12-month period in 2021 and 2022.

In addition to a dedicated service, the report calls for a foreign national liaison officer, supports to maintain family relationships, creation of peer supports and provision of language classes and legal interpreters.

The report based its recommendations on what was happening in prisons in other countries.

It said those interviewed said they received no information or substantial assistance from consular staff of embassies here.

In addition, they said that neither they nor their families had received support from any charities or non-profit organisations working in Irish prisons.

It found that only a third of prisoners interviewed said they were given information on their rights in prison and prison rules in a language they could understand.

The report said there was a “compelling case” for the establishment of a dedicated service: “The urgent need for action in developing such a service would offer immediate amelioration of conditions for FNPs in Irish prisons while laying the foundation for long-term systematic structures to effectively support this vulnerable population."

Welcomed the research

In response, the Irish Prison Service said it welcomed the research from Maynooth University and that it will review its recommendations.

It said FNPs could, like all prisoners, avail of a wide range of services and supports, including education and work-training skills, physical, psychological and mental health services.

In a statement, the IPS said they have invested significantly in the digitalisation of services, including family visits, and that their website now allows family members to book visits in a range of languages.

It said the existing prisoner information booklet provided “detailed information and points of contact” and was currently available in eight languages.

“A review of the previous Prisoner Information Booklet was conducted in 2024 and a new version will be distributed to all prisons across the estate in Q1 of 2025,” the statement said. “The new booklet will also be translated into eight different languages thereafter.” 

It said the IPS has a contracted supplier for interpreters, including for legal matters, and a contract for translating documents.