Census of Restricted Regime prisoners October 2017

27th November 2017

The Irish Prison Services (IPS) provides the number of prisoners on restricted regimes in Ireland in the Census of Restricted Regime Prisoners October 2017.

The October 2017 Census shows an increase in prisoners on restricted regimes. Since July 2017, the figure of prisoners has increased by 13 prisoners (3%), from 415 restricted regime prisoners reported in July 2017 to 428 restricted regime prisoners reported in October 2017. This is also an increase of 152 prisoners (57.8%) from 263 in October 2013.

Rule 63 of the Prison Rules 2007 provides for the protection of vulnerable prisoners where the prisoner is considered to be under threat or at risk from other prisoners who are reasonably likely to cause significant harm to him or her. In October 2017 Census, 385 prisoners were recorded as being a protected prisoner, with 379 of these prisoners requesting this action.

The October 2017 Census also reports that there are a total of 9 prisoners on 23/22-hour restricted regimes; 4 prisoners on a 23-hour restricted regime (1 prisoner in Cloverhill; 2 prisoners in Midlands; 1 prisoner in Wheatfield), and 5 prisoners on a 22-hour restricted regime (5 prisoners in Cloverhill). This number of prisoners on 23/22-hour restricted regimes has decreased by 1 (10%), from 10 in July 2017, and is a decrease of 202 (95.7%), from 211 in July 2013.

The Census of Restricted Regime Prisoners October 2013 was the second census of this kind carried out by the IPS. The October 2013 Census reported that a total of 135 prisoners were on 23/22 hour restricted regimes, with 65 on 23 hour restricted regimes (Cloverhill (22); Midlands (6); Portlaoise (19); Wheatfield (18)), and 70 prisoners on 22 hour restricted regimes (Cork (5); Limerick (3); Mountjoy (43); St. Patricks (16); Wheatfield (3)). This shows an overall decrease of 126 prisoners (93.3%) on 23/23 hour restricted regimes since October 2013, with a decrease of 61 prisoners (93.8%) on 23 hour restricted regimes (from 65 to 4 prisoners), and a decrease of 65 prisoners (92.8%) on 22 hour restricted regimes (from 70 to 5 prisoners).

Key statistics:

• 428 prisoners in total on restricted regimes
• 385 prisoners on grounds of order Rule (63) (10.7% of the prison population)
• 27 prisoners restricted on order Rule 62
• 0 prisoners restricted due to discipline Rule 67, Part 3 Prisons Act 2007).

Read full Census of Restricted Regime Prisoners October 2017 here.

Read Census of Restricted Regime Prisoners July 2013 here.

Read Census of Restricted Regime Prisoners October 2013 here.