Prison Census Reports July 2023

23rd October 2023

IPRT welcome the publication of the July 2023 Prison Population Census reports on restricted regimes and cell occupancy and in-cell sanitation, which were published by the Irish Prison Service in October 2023. While we very much welcome that this important data is published, we acknolwedge that it is a snapshot only and does not capture trends or day-to-day fluctuations.

Key points from the reports:

Cell Occupancy and In-cell Sanitation report

• The number of people in cells holding 4+ people has risen again, from 173 in April to 256 in July.
• Increase in the number and proportion of people who are required to toilet in the presence of others, from 2,339 (51%) in April to 2,589 (54.9%) in July.

Restricted Regimes report

• Slight decrease in the total number of people held on restricted regimes (i.e., 19+ hours per day in cell), from 776 in April to 766 in July.
• Significant increase in the number of people in solitary confinement (i.e., 22+ hours per day in cell), from 47 in April to 162 in July.
  • NOTE: The April Census figures represented a significant drop from previous numbers and the increase in July represents a return to similar numbers we have seen over the past couple of years, so while unfortunate to see such an increase after a successful period, it is not entirely unusual.

• Seven people were on 24-hour lock-up, after a welcome drop to zero at the time of the April Census. None of these were for infection control measures.
   
• Read the full Prison Census of Restricted Regimes July 2023 report here.
• Read the full Prison Census of Cell Occupancy and In-cell Sanitation July 2023 report here.
• All Prison Population Census Reports are available on the Irish Prison Service website here.