Irish Prison Services Annual Report
The average daily number of prisoners in Irish prisons decreased in 2020.
That's according to the Irish Prison Services Annual Report.
In 2020, the daily average number of prisoners in custody was 3,824 compared to 3,971 in 2019, a 3.7% decrease.
The average daily number of prisoners peaked at 4,108 in February 2020, decreasing to 3,824 in September.
Regarding Covid-19, the IPS spent €7 million aimed at preventing outbreaks of the virus at prisons across the country.
Director General of the IPS, Caron McCaffrey, noted the service managed 3 outbreaks of the virus at Irish prisons in 2020, at Midlands Prison, Portlaoise, Limerick & Wheatfield prisons.
Molly Joyce, Legal & Public Affairs Officer of the Irish Penal Reform Trust noted the "commendable" job carried out by the IPS, relating to the pandemic.
While the IPRT note positives in the report, it continues to call on the Minister for Justice to "publish all completed COVID-19 Thematic Prison Inspection reports and for the Irish Prison Service to publish prison census data".
Ms. Joyce joined Clem Ryan on this morning's edition of 'Kildare Today':
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