Prisons Full to Bursting
2nd December 2025
The article highlights the unprecedented levels of overcrowding across Ireland’s prisons, reflecting the findings of IPRT’s Progress in the Penal System (PIPS) 2024 report. Executive Director Saoirse Brady stresses that expanding prison spaces will not resolve the crisis, as new beds are quickly filled while conditions and rights deteriorate.
IPRT reiterates that meaningful reform must focus on reducing the numbers entering custody—particularly the high volume of short sentences and remand cases—and expanding effective non-custodial alternatives.
Related items:
- 2024 Progress in the Penal System Report (PIPS) Launch
- Progress in the Penal System (PIPS) 2024
- Prison Service fighting 'losing battle' against overcrowding
- Prison system ‘at breaking point’ with urgent action needed to tackle overcrowding
- Irish Prison System overwhelmed and overstretched new report states
