On average, women make up around 4.2% 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 2018, there were 1,005 female committals, compared to 155 female committals 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 2018, 10% of female committals to prison were for non-payment of court-ordered fines – twice that of the comparable figure of men.
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.
14th July 2015
The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) with support from The Howard League for Penal Reform has produced a report on the inquiry into preventing unnecessary criminalisation of women.
23rd June 2015
Following the setting aside of earlier plans to create a large prison to house female offenders, Scotland has now announced plans to develop a community-based approach to custody for female offenders, as well as increased use of alternatives to custody.
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".
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.
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.
6th March 2014
The Irish Prison Service and the Probation Service published their joint strategy on female offenders today.
5th December 2013
Towards a non-custodial approach
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.
29th July 2013
The ACJRD has published a new report on research conducted with female prisoners serving short sentences in the Dóchas Centre.
27th March 2013
UK Justice Minister, Helen Grant, has published a report outlining her key priorities and strategic objectives for female offenders.
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.