Dáil Éireann - Volume 490 - 29 April, 1998

Written Answers. - Prison Accommodation.

Mr. Higgins (Mayo) Mr. Higgins (Mayo)

600

76. Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the official prisoner capacity of Mountjoy jail; the numbers [600] of prisoners at the jail on 3 April, 10 April, 17 April, and 24 April 1998; and the sleeping arrangements of the prisoners who could not be accommodated in cells. [10151/98]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue) John O'Donoghue

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue): The numbers of inmates in Mountjoy Prison on the dates mentioned by the Deputy are set out in the following table. The prison has an official cell capacity of 607. There are 547 places in the male section and 60 places in the female section. A number of the single occupancy cells in the male section have, however, been adapted to accommodate a second inmate, giving a bed capacity of 659 places. On the dates mentioned by the Deputy it was necessary to accommodate some prisoners on mattresses on the floor in holding cells and in offices in secure areas of the prison.

Dáil Éireann 490 Written Answers. Prison Accommodation.

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