Number of inmates in Cork Prison fall but figures still remain high

The numbers in custody at Cork Prison have gone down for the first time in a week, but 89 people were still in the prison without a bed yesterday, as a Cork TD called for more funding to support people when they leave prison to reduce reoffending.

The numbers in custody at the prison, which has a capacity of 296, dropped from 386 on Thursday to 385 yesterday after six days of the numbers rising to a new record each day. The previous record of 372 had been set in February of this year.

The prison is currently at 130% capacity, higher than any other men’s prison in the country.

Funding

In the Dáil on Thursday, Cork North Central Fine Gael TD Colm Burke asked how much funding was allocated to the social inclusion and community activation programme (SICAP) in Cork.

Fellow Cork Fine Gael TD and junior minister at the department of rural and community development, Jerry Buttimer, explained that SICAP is a national programme delivered locally.

“It supports those in the greatest need to address high and persistent levels of deprivation through targeted, locally-led initiatives and approaches,” he said.

“There are currently seven local development companies delivering the SICAP programme across the eight contract areas in Cork city, Cork county, and the West Cork Islands.

“The total SICAP funding allocations for last year and this year for the seven companies in Cork came to €8,183,430.”

Concerned

Mr Burke said he was concerned that there is a lack of structure for people discharged from prisons in accommodation and in trying to get them back into the system, asking: “Will more work be done in that area?”

“It needs to be done first when they are physically in prison, with co-ordination of their plan for when they get out. According to the records, on the northside of Cork city in particular, there are people whose only home in real terms is prison. While it is a small number of people, it is important.

"As we come into winter, people will offend because they have nowhere to go. There is a problem in our prisons with inadequate accommodation. We should seriously look at how to help these people when they are in prison.”

Mr Buttimer said that he has asked the department to examine this issue, saying that problems on the northside of Cork city are an issue he is concerned about, adding “we need to have a serious conversation about it”.

He highlighted “great work” done by The Glen Resource Centre and Cork City Partnership in Mayfield.

“Despite all the funding, outreach, activities, and programmes, there is an issue we are missing somewhere. I will work with all involved to ensure we look at supports, in particular for those who have left prison to avoid that revolving door. A lot of work is being done.

“There are success stories, but the deputy is right to highlight the people being missed by the great programmes. There are a number of people who re-offend once they leave prison.”