The Prison Officers Association will raise concerns over violence and overcrowding in prisons at their annual conference in Sligo today.
Prison officers are warning there could be an outbreak of violence, or a murder, due to overcrowding.
The number of inmates behind bars has increased by over 200 over the past year – and now stands at 4,001.
General secretary John Clinton says it can’t be blamed on more court activity after the Covid pandemic.
Meanwhile the Justice Minister has moved to provide assurances to Prison Officers that there will be adequate places in prisons to safely house inmates.
Speaking to OceanFM news Minister Helen McEntee says the capacity of Ireland’s prisons will increase by around 5 per cent this year.
