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. 

Scotland: New women's prison scrapped in favour of small community-based centres

26th January 2015

Plans for a new women's prison in Scotland have been scrapped, in favour of "smaller regional and community-based custodial facilities across the country".

RTÉ: Women on the Inside

5th September 2014

A new two-part documentary series, filmed behind the walls of Ireland's women prisons, depicts life inside - tune in on Mon 8th Sept and Mon 15th Sept.

“Proportionate, informed and timely interventions designed to meet the needs of women”- Prison Reform Trust

27th March 2014

The Prison Reform Trust published “Brighter Futures: Working together to reduce women’s offending”. This briefing highlights the specific needs of women in contact with the criminal justice system and profiles existing initiatives and partnerships within the United Kingdom that seek to deal more effectively with women’s offending.

The Joint Probation Service & Irish Prison Service Strategy: "An Effective Response to Women who Offend"

6th March 2014

The Irish Prison Service and the Probation Service published their joint strategy on female offenders today.

IPRT Position Paper 10: Women in the Criminal Justice System

5th December 2013

Towards a non-custodial approach

Re-designing the Pattern: Women and the Criminal Justice System

4th December 2013

SEMINAR: Minister of State Kathleen Lynch TD launched a new IPRT paper on Wed 4th Dec 2013, entitled 'Women and the Criminal Justice System - Towards a Non-Custodial Approach' as part of a half-day seminar on women in the criminal justice system.

Tracking the Needs and Service Provision for Women Ex-Prisoners

29th July 2013

The ACJRD has published a new report on research conducted with female prisoners serving short sentences in the Dóchas Centre.

UK: Targeted support for women offenders

27th March 2013

UK Justice Minister, Helen Grant, has published a report outlining her key priorities and strategic objectives for female offenders.

UK: Report assesses UK government compliance with the Bangkok Rules

13th March 2013

Women in Prison have published a report on the women’s custodial estate in the UK from 2011-2012, showing that little has fundamentally changed in the approach to women in prison since the publication of Baroness Jean Corston’s report in 2007.

UK: Guide launched to assist professionals in recognising and responding to the health and wellbeing needs of women offenders

27th February 2013

Mental health charity Together has launched a new common sense guide that offers criminal justice staff the tools to ensure women’s health and well-being needs are not missed.

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