Conference in Kilkenny to hear overcrowding in prisons a ‘national scandal’

The overcrowding crisis in prisons is being described as a ‘national scandal.’

The annual two-day conference of the Prison Officers Association which rolls out in Kilkenny will hear that violence in our jails has increased significantly and is allowing gangs to thrive.

The number of incidents has risen from 1,093 in 2024 to 1,503 last year, a 37% increase, as the system deals with record numbers of inmates.