Women in Detention

Women make up a very small proportion of those who appear before the courts on criminal charges in Ireland and of those who are imprisoned. On average, women make up around 3.5% of the prison population, with a large number of committals concerning non-violent offences. Additionally, the majority of sentences are short-term (up to a year). 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.

IPRT recognises that important improvements to physical conditions and changes in the regime in women’s prisons have been made over the last few years, particularly with the provision of a new facility in Mountjoy Prison, the Dóchas Centre. Major concerns remain, however, in relation to overcrowding in this facility, in relation to the inadequate conditions of women prisoners in Limerick Prison, and in relation to immigration detention. Above all, the 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.

IPRT is a member of the Women in Prison Reform Alliance, which is committed to advancing the protection of the rights of women in the criminal justice system.