Irish Penal Reform Trust

Women in Detention

On average, women make up around 3.8% of the prison population, with a large number of committals concerning non-violent offences. Additionally, the majority are detained on short-term sentences. However, the impact of even short-term imprisonment on these women and their families is profound. The economic and social costs to society at large arising from the imprisonment of women are also significant.

In 2021, there were 487 women committed to prison, compared to 155 in 1999. The rate of female prison committals has risen more rapidly than for males since 2011. In addition, there continues to be significant numbers of women imprisoned for failing to pay court-ordered fines, despite the Fines (Payment and Recovery Act) 2014 which came into operation in January 2016. In 2021, 8% of female committals to prison were for non-payment of court-ordered fines – double the comparable figure for men (4%).

Major concerns remain in relation to overcrowding in both of the country’s female prisons – the Dóchas Centre and a female wing in Limerick Prison. The detention of women for immigration-related reasons is also a concern for IPRT. IPRT remains committed to working towards major policy change in relation to imprisonment of women in Ireland, with a central focus on the provision of alternatives to detention and open prison provision for women. 

TheJournal.ie: ‘Almost all women in Irish prisons are there for committing petty crime’

23rd April 2019

IPRT comment and research was featured in an in-depth focus on the challenges faced by female prisoners in Ireland.

Chronic issues in Ireland's female prisons demand urgent government action on community-based alternatives - IPRT

13th March 2019

ADVISORY: IPRT responds to the publication of the Visiting Committee Annual Reports 2017 for the Dóchas Centre and Limerick Prison, calling on the Government to deliver on previous policy commitments to improve responses to women in prison.

Newstalk: 'Mary and the Joy'

4th November 2018

Newstalk documentary 'Mary and the Joy' features IPRT Executive Director Deirdre Malone discussing the importance of relationship-based care in Irish prisons.

UK: Sentencers and sentenced: exploring knowledge, agency and sentencing women to prison

31st October 2018

The APPG on Women in the Penal System has published a report on its inquiry into the sentencing of women.

IPRT Submission to UN Working Group on Women deprived of liberty

1st October 2018

IPRT made a submission to the UN Working Group on women deprived of liberty, focusing on women deprived of their liberty in the criminal justice system in Ireland.

The Irish Times: Sharp increase in Irish prison population

6th August 2018

The Irish Times has published an article and an editorial detailing the sharp increase in Ireland’s prison population in 2018, following years of decline and stability.

Newstalk: Time for change? Women and mothers in the Irish prison system

13th July 2018

Newstalk's Simon Tierney reports from the Dóchas Centre on the issues facing women and mothers in prison in Ireland.

UK: Prison Reform Trust publishes ‘What about me?’

9th July 2018

‘What about me?’ is essential research conducted by the Prison Reform Trust, detailing the impact on children when mothers are involved in the criminal justice system.

UK: Report on Housing for Women in the Criminal Justice System

19th June 2018

The Prison Reform Trust (PRT) and Women in Prison (WiP) have published a report entitled ‘Home truths: housing for women in the criminal justice system'.

UK: Still Dying on the Inside: Examining Deaths in Women's Prisons

8th May 2018

UK charity INQUEST published their report into deaths in women's prisons on the 1st May 2018.

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