MEP urges reform as prisoners sleep on floor in Cork prison

An Ireland South MEP has called for policy reform across Europe as overcrowding forces inmates to sleep on the floor in Cork Prison.

Michael McNamara has addressed the European Parliament in regard to the issue of Ireland’s prison overcrowding.

Mr McNamara made reference to the Cork facility, stating that the current overcrowding levels in the prison are “creating a dangerous environment for inmates and staff”.

In his address, the MEP said: “The Council of Europe’s 2023 Annual Report of Prison Populations noted Cyprus, Romania, France, Belgium, Hungary, Italy, and Slovenia all grappling with severe overcrowding with prison densities of more than 105 inmates per 100 places available, with Ireland not far behind.

“Cork Prison, in the constituency that I represent, is already over 120% capacity with over 60 of its 355 inmates sleeping on the floor.”

Record high

At the start of last week, Cork Prison had a record high of 361 people in custody, representing 122% capacity, with 65 people sleeping on the floor.

“Those levels of overcrowding make prisons extremely dangerous, not just for inmates but also for those who work with those inmates,” Mr McNamara said, deeming plans for more minimum sentencing as “political gimmickry”.

He continued: “Yet we hear the Government parties...talking about increasing minimum sentencing.

“The question arises: where are you going to put these inmates? Who is going to be Barrabas? Who is going to be released instead

“Instead of just talking about more prison spaces, which yes are needed, we also need to ensure that there are fewer people serving short-term sentences and prisons don’t become a place for where we’re housing people with addiction problems and mental health issues.”

Mr McNamara said: “Fundamental reform is needed in our prisons across Europe.

“More minimum sentencing is political gimmickry without fundamental prison policy reform.”