'No doubt' rise in Cork Prison deaths linked to overcrowding, says inspector

The number of deaths linked to Cork Prison more than doubled last year, with the inspector of prisons saying overcrowding has played a role in the increase.

The annual report of the Office of the Inspector of Prisons (OIP) also highlights low morale among prison staff and insufficient access to a GP in Cork Prison.

During 2024, there were 31 deaths nationally, a significant increase on the 2023 total of 20 deaths.

The figures include five deaths in Cork Prison. Two of these occurred while an inmate was in custody, one while a prisoner was in hospital, and two within one month of the inmates being granted temporary release. During the previous year, there were no deaths in custody, one in hospital, and one within a month of temporary release.

Scourge of overcrowding

Chief inspector Mark Kelly said: “We have found that the scourge of overcrowding continues to afflict almost every prison in Ireland, and the situation has worsened significantly over the last year. Very many prisoners are being held in conditions that can be described as inhuman and degrading.”

“Sadly, 2024 saw 31 deaths, the highest-ever number in any year since the inspectorate first undertook this task in 2012,” said Mr Kelly.

“There is no doubt that the pressures created by overcrowding have played their part in generating this increase.”

Cork Prison is frequently the most overcrowded prison in Ireland. In August, a record 403 people were in custody in the 296-bed-capacity facility. Last Friday, there were 372 inmates, meaning nearly 80 prisoners were without a regular bed.

Recommendations

The inspector made several recommendations, including that the Irish Prison Service (IPS) reviews the working and management culture at Cork Prison to identify the underlying reasons for “reported levels of low morale amongst certain staff”. 

The review should examine whether grievance procedures are dissuading staff and/or prisoners from pursuing complaints.

He also said the IPS should ensure an adequate complement of healthcare staff, specifically in relation to Cork Prison, where there was a need to increase the hours of presence of the GP. There is also a need for additional nurse staffing at night and an increase in psychology and addiction service staffing.

Several other recommendations were made, including:

• The minister for justice should take urgent action to place an enforceable upper limit on the number of persons that can be committed to prisons, including Cork Prison.

• A new strategy should be put in place that considers the implementation of alternative measures and restorative justice practices, such as conflict mediation, to reduce prisoner tensions and concerns for safety.

• The minister and director general of the IPS must ensure that every person in custody has their own bed and that cell occupancy is in line with living space standards of 4sq m for each person in a multi-occupancy cell, exclusive of sanitary facilities.