Officers also say they are very concerned that drones may be used to get weapons into the hands of feuding prisoners.
Speaking at the Prison Officers’ Association’s annual conference in Sligo, deputy general secretary Gabriel Keaveney said: “Roll on to the present overcrowding and we know now we are facing into and are absolutely fearful of disturbances over the summer.”
Details of the shocking number of prisoners housed within the system were outlined by POA president Tony Power.
“Today,” he said, “the number of prisoners in custody is about to reach a staggering 5,000.
“That is an incredible 25pc increase on the figure five years ago.
“And needless to say, there has not been a commensurate increase in prison spaces to deal with this explosion in numbers.”
Statistics released by the POA during the conference outlined the stark level of overcrowding and it effects prisoners as a result of a lack of prison spaces.
The Midlands Prison has 100 more prisoners than it has space for, Cloverhill Prison has 70, Cork Prison, the country’s newest, has 52 prisoners sleeping on the floor, while Mountjoy Prison with 845 prisoners has seen a 25pc rise in the last five years.
In one wing at Castlerea Prison, every single cell is doubled up with another ten inmates sleeping on the floor.
Mr Power described the levels of overcrowding as unsafe and unacceptable.
He said their attempts to highlight the issue have fallen on deaf ears.
“Nothing happens,” he said, adding that “this is a disgrace”.
The Irish Prison Service said this week it has no control over the numbers committed to custody as it must accept all prisoners committed by the courts.
It also said 200 prison spaces have come online already through new construction and modernising works, while plans are outlined for four capital projects at Castlerea, Cloverhill, the Midlands and Mountjoy that will create an additional 670 spaces.
A problem long associated with overcrowding in the prison system is increased levels of violence.
The POA says its members are already encountering this and need additional personal protection equipment.
“Over the years we have sought appropriate levels of personal protective equipment for our staff, so that they could protect themselves and others in prisons, – but without success,” Mr. Keaveney said.
“If we could secure access to such items as incapacitant spray, concealed batons and conflict resolution dogs, we could take more decisive action and add to overall safety.
“This is clearly not just about the safety and welfare of staff. We often have very vulnerable prisoners seriously assaulted for no other reason than their vulnerability.
“This is an issue which requires urgent and focused attention from prison management, or all involved could be facing the most serious consequences.”
