It is beyond belief that no addiction nurses are employed in Irish prisons, despite the majority of inmates suffering from addiction, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon.
Deputy Gannon said:
“We know that addiction is one of the primary drivers of the low level offending that makes up a massive proportion of our prison population.
“In 2024, 77% of people committed to prison received sentences of less than a year, and around seven out of every 10 people committed to prison have addiction issues. There are approximately 5,700 inmates in our prisons, and almost 4,000 of them are addicted to one drug or another.
“Yet, instead of ensuring people can access the addiction supports they need, the Government is allowing vital addiction nursing posts to disappear. This is exactly how you create a revolving door prison system.
“The result is entirely predictable. People will continue to cycle in and out of prison, never receiving the treatment they need to address the root causes of their offending. They will be released back into the community with the same addictions, the same unmet needs and the same pathways back into crime.
“It’s a remarkable failure for a Government that repeatedly presents itself as being strong on law and order. Effective addiction treatment is one of the most basic and evidence-based ways of reducing reoffending and easing pressure on prisons.
“Instead of strengthening these services, the Government is eroding them. It’s beyond comprehension that a policy failure this glaringly obvious is being allowed to continue.
“I’m calling on the Minister for Justice to recognise this overt issue and dedicate time and resources to introduce adequate addiction services in our prisons.”
June 12th, 2026