The construction of a new prison complex is expected to feature prominently in today's discussion of the Justice Ministry's 2027 budget, with attention focused both on the chronic problems facing the Central Prisons and on efforts to develop a modern replacement facility.
According to a briefing note submitted by the ministry to parliament, tackling prison overcrowding and creating modern correctional infrastructure remains one of its top priorities.
Overcrowding remains a structural problem
The ministry notes that throughout 2026 the inmate population at the Central Prisons has remained consistently at around 1,180 prisoners.
This figure, however, does not reflect a reduction in the need for detention. Rather, officials say it results from daily operational management carried out in cooperation with the police to prevent inmate numbers from rising further within already overstretched facilities.
At the same time, approximately 150 additional detainees and convicted prisoners are being held in police detention facilities that have been designated as prisons.
According to the ministry, the real demands on the prison system significantly exceed the number of inmates housed within the Central Prisons themselves, requiring constant coordination between prison authorities and the police.
The ministry argues that overcrowding is no longer a temporary issue but a structural challenge that cannot be addressed permanently through piecemeal interventions at the existing site.
Ageing facilities reaching their limits
Parts of the Central Prisons date back to the late nineteenth century.
Although the facilities have undergone repeated upgrades and modifications and capacity has been expanded in recent years, opportunities for further enlargement within the existing site are now extremely limited.
Overcrowding affects multiple aspects of prison operations, increasing demands on:
- Staffing.
- Security and supervision.
- Healthcare and mental-health services.
- Education and employment programmes.
- Rehabilitation and reintegration initiatives.
The prolonged use of police holding facilities to accommodate inmates is also placing additional pressure on police resources and infrastructure.
Long-term plan for new prisons
Against this backdrop, the Justice Ministry is proceeding with plans for a new prison complex, which it describes as the long-term and sustainable solution to the country's correctional infrastructure needs.
The aim is not only to address current overcrowding but also to create sufficient capacity to meet projected requirements over the coming decades.
The proposed facility is being designed according to modern correctional standards and will include:
- Separation of different categories of prisoners and remand detainees.
- Educational facilities.
- Work and vocational training spaces.
- Sports and recreational areas.
- Healthcare and mental-health services.
- Rehabilitation and reintegration programmes.
The project will also incorporate modern technological systems for security and surveillance.
More than €1 million allocated
The period between 2027 and 2029 is expected to be critical for the project's development.
The 2027 budget includes an allocation of more than €1 million to advance the project through further studies, planning work and the procedures required before implementation can move to subsequent stages.
The ministry says the funding reflects the strategic importance attached to developing new correctional infrastructure and represents a significant step towards the project's advancement.
A strategic national project
The ministry describes the prison project as being about much more than increasing detention capacity.
Its objective is to create a modern, secure and operationally sustainable correctional system with adequate capacity, appropriate facilities and the ability to properly separate different categories of prisoners while meeting both current pressures and future needs.
Staff shortages persist
The ministry's briefing also highlights staffing shortfalls.
Among prison officers, there are:
- 393 approved positions.
- 330 filled positions.
- 63 vacant prison officer posts.
There are also:
- 10 vacant chief prison officer positions.
- One vacant inspector position.
€1.6 million for security upgrades
Separate from the new-prison project, the prison budget includes €1.6 million for equipment purchases and security enhancements.
The funding is intended for:
- A portable X-ray scanning machine for prison searches.
- Additional electronic equipment.
- A drone detection and neutralisation system.
- A new CCTV surveillance network.
- A mobile-phone signal blocking system.
