The Irish Prison Service witnessed a gradual increase in the Prison Population throughout 2021 with numbers rising to 3,906 by mid-year. The numbers reduced somewhat by year end with the average number in custody over the course of the year being 3,792. This equates to an average occupancy rate of 87% which is below the target of 90%.

There were 6,133 committals to prison in 2021, which is a 3% decrease on the 2020 figure of 6,340. The Irish Prison Service continued the judicious use of temporary release in 2021 to ensure the prison population was maintained below 90% to ensure effective infection control measures were possible.