Overview: Cork Prison faces rising drug issues and overdoses
New data released by the Department of Justice, based on figures from the Irish Prison Service (IPS), shows a troubling pattern of drug activity and overdoses inside Cork Prison. In the 14 months up to September 2025 there were five recorded overdoses in Cork Prison, as well as a total of 269 drug seizures nationally since 2020. The figures highlight ongoing challenges in preventing contraband and addressing addiction within the prison system.
The national data reveals 269 drug seizures at Cork Prison since 2020, distributed across the years as follows: 46 (2020), 69 (2021), 42 (2022), 36 (2023), 40 (2024), and 36 (2025 up to September). The 2025 figure reflects an average of four seizures per month so far, still below the 2021 peak of 5.8 per month but higher than recent years, underscoring persistent trafficking pressures inside the facility.
Context: national trend and ongoing enforcement efforts
Across Ireland, the IPS has recorded 7,452 drug seizures since 2020. The year 2021 saw the highest national total, with 2025 so far approaching last year’s figure of 1,035 seizures, and 2025 standing at 976 seizures up to September. These numbers suggest a continuing battle against illicit substances in the prison environment, even as authorities expand testing and deterrence measures.
Minister for Justice Siobán O’Callaghan noted that the IPS has always prioritized preventing contraband entry and treating addiction within custody. He cited estimates that up to 70% of people in custody have addiction issues and acknowledged that some inmates may continue drug-seeking behavior despite available supports. The department has emphasized a multi-pronged approach, including technological surveillance, intelligence gathering, and awareness campaigns for those in custody.
Overdoses in the prison system: what the data shows
Parliamentary data released in response to a question from Labour TD Conor Sheehan shows 92 overdoses in Irish prisons over the last 14 months, with Cork Prison accounting for five of these incidents. Prior to August 2024, the IPS did not collate overdose data by prison, which means the new figures provide a clearer, if still incomplete, picture of where overdoses are occurring.
In tackling overdose risks, the IPS partners with the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Irish Red Cross to promote naloxone, a medication that can temporarily reverse opioid overdoses. The service also began an initiative in 2024 combining random and intelligence-led drug testing, and is pursuing additional testing capability with the HSE. These steps are part of a broader strategy to reduce the harm linked to illegal substances inside prisons.
Addiction services and access for inmates
Public reporting from August 2024 shows that 114 inmates in Cork Prison had engaged with addiction services that year, while 108 were on waiting lists. Advocates warn that many serving short sentences exit prison before accessing treatment, potentially returning on new short sentences and re-entering a backlog in addiction services. At that time, 222 inmates were either waiting for or receiving addiction services—roughly two-thirds of Cork Prison’s population—reflecting overcrowding and its impact on service access.
Overcrowding: a backdrop to the problem
The capacity challenges at Cork Prison are well documented. By August this year, the prison held 403 inmates, a 30% rise from the previous year, and a later figure showed 377 inmates on a single day—over 127% of the facility’s capacity. Overcrowding compounds difficulties in delivering addiction treatment and other essential supports, drawing concern from the Irish Penal Reform Trust and others who warn of knock-on effects on prisoner well-being and rehabilitation prospects.
What’s being done and the road ahead
The Department of Justice and IPS emphasize ongoing investments in prevention, treatment, and testing. In addition to naloxone access and expanded drug testing, authorities are pursuing further testing capabilities in cooperation with the HSE. The overarching aim is to reduce demand, disrupt supply chains into prisons, and ensure timely access to addiction services to break cycles of reoffending linked to addiction.
