The average number of prisoners in custody in Ireland has risen in the last 5 years, from 3,321 during 2007 to 4,389 during 2011, an increase of over 32%. Likewise the total number of committals to prison has also risen sharply during the same period, from 11,934 in 2007 to 17,318 in 2011 – an increase of over 45%. During the same period the number of prisoners on temporary release rose dramatically from 210 on 30 November, 2007 to 811 on 30 November, 2011.