Prison overcrowding is the primary reason for the surge of assaults behind bars, the Prison Officers’ Association has said. 

Yesterday, a prison officer at Mountjoy was allegedly stabbed in the face while escorting a prisoner back from a medical appointment. 

Authorities are treating the incident as an escape attempt and the case has been passed onto An Garda Síochána.

Mountjoy Prison in Dublin is seen in 2014. Picture by: Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland

President of the POA Tony Power said it was a “traumatic time” for the prison guard but medics are hopeful he will make a full recovery. 

“We’re really concerned about the level of assaults,” he said. 

“The levels of assaults dropped dramatically during COVID because prisoners were being kept locked up longer. 

“Since COVID has finished, basically, we’re looking at an increase of about 46% in the assaults on prison officers by prisoners. 

“We’re looking at over 52% of an increase on the figure of assaults [by] prisoners on prisoners and over 39% of the increase in the levels of injury received by staff members trying to break up these assaults.” 

A man in prison.

Many prisons in Ireland are operating at full capacity and inmates often sleep on the floor due to a lack of bedspace. 

Mr Power said this was fuelling violence but there is prospect of a solution in the near future. 

“It’s an issue really starting off with overcrowding,” he said. 

“We’ve highlighted overcrowding, we’ve continued to highlight overcrowding. 

“Unfortunately, the Minister has announced the building of four new units but these four new units are on a five-year-plan. 

“We have a crisis with overcrowding at the moment.” 

Interim Minister for Justice Simon Harris has identified four capital projects that could deliver 400 new prison beds by 2028.

Main image: An arrested woman stands with her hands in handcuffs. Picture by: Alamy.com