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.
17th February 2011
The ACJRD 13th Annual Conference Report was launched by the Hon. Mrs Justice Catherine McGuinness, who described it as an area of research and policy formation which doesn't receive a great deal of attention in Ireland.
3rd February 2011
The Inspector of Prisons, Judge Reilly, has published the Women Prisoners' Supplement to the 'Standards for the Inspection of Prisons in Ireland'. The document outlines the "particular obligations to women prisoners emanating from international obligations, domestic laws and best practice."
18th January 2011
Baroness Corston reviews progress on work with women in the penal system.
29th October 2010
The Department of Justice in Northern Ireland has published its first strategy for dealing with female offenders.
28th October 2010
'Mothers Behind Bars' is a new U.S. report from the Rebecca Project for Human Rights and the National Women's Law Center, analysing federal and state policies on conditions of confinement for pregnant and parenting women and the effect upon their children.
30th September 2010
The ACJRD are hosting two events during October. The first of these is an education seminar on Tuesday 5 October 2010. This is followed by the ACJRD's thirteenth annual conference on Friday 15 October 2010.
14th September 2010
One in four female prisoners struggle with borderline personality disorder, yet their needs are going unnoticed in the UK justice system, according to a report published by the Centre for Mental Health.
4th August 2010
Findings of a new report highlight that many female foreign nationals being held in the Dóchas Centre are subject to racial abuse
14th July 2010
Female prisoners in northern Scotland are being given the chance to live in open conditions close to their communities under a new scheme being launched next week.
18th June 2010
'The Irish Times' has reported on a case of a woman prisoner who, after being granted Temporary Release, refused to leave the Dóchas Centre in Dublin as she had no home to go to, writes Agnieszka Martynowicz.
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.