Overcrowding adding to issues of 'cold cells, broken toilets and unhygienic conditions' at Mountjoy

As of Tuesday, 165 prisoners are sleeping on mattresses on the floor of shared cells in the facility

The report from the Mountjoy Prison Visiting Committee said overcrowding in 2024 means that many cells are now double occupancy, although 'only designed for single occupancy'. File photo: Moya Nolan

The impact of overcrowding at Mountjoy Jail on the physical and mental health needs of prisoners needs “urgent consideration” by the authorities, according to an official oversight body.

The Mountjoy Prison Visiting Committee also said it is concerned about the health and safety of “both staff and prisoners” because of the absence of proper care for seriously ill prisoners.