Overview: Overdoses and drug seizures at Cork Prison
New figures released by the Department of Justice reveal a troubling pattern at Cork Prison: five overdoses have occurred since August 2024, and the facility has recorded 269 drug seizures since 2020. The statistics, compiled from data provided by the Irish Prison Service (IPS), underscore ongoing concerns about illicit substances, inmate addiction, and the effectiveness of preventative measures within the prison system.
National context and trends
Across Ireland, 7,452 drug seizures have been recorded since 2020. The year 2021 marked the highest national total, but 2025 is shaping up to challenge 2024 figures, with 976 seizures recorded so far this year compared with 1,035 in all of last year. In Cork, the monthly rate of seizures in 2025 averages four per month, higher than 2024 (3.3/month) and similar to 2020 (3.8/month), though remaining below the peak of 5.8/month seen in 2021.
Breakdown by year
Drug seizures in Cork Prison by year are as follows: 46 (2020), 69 (2021), 42 (2022), 36 (2023), 40 (2024), and 36 (2025 up to September). The data illustrates a sustained level of contraband detection, with fluctuations that mirror shifts in policy, enforcement, and the prison’s operational capacity.
Overdoses: a growing concern within custody
Data supplied in response to a parliamentary question shows a total of 92 prison overdoses nationwide in the last 14 months, of which five occurred in Cork Prison. Prior to August 2024, the IPS did not collate overdose figures by prison, making these numbers a new reference point for evaluating addiction issues inside custody.
The justice minister noted that an estimated 70% of people in custody have addiction issues. He emphasized that preventing contraband entry remains a high priority and that addiction treatment inside prisons is crucial. Some inmates with active addiction issues may continue seeking drugs inside the facility despite available supports.
Prevention, treatment, and testing efforts
The IPS has launched a range of measures to curb drugs and support offenders with addiction: technological, structural, and intelligence-led approaches to prevent contraband, awareness campaigns for those in custody, and partnerships with health services. A collaboration with the HSE and the Irish Red Cross is promoting naloxone, a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses, and there are ongoing plans to expand drug-testing capabilities in conjunction with health authorities.
Challenges: overcrowding and access to addiction services
Overcrowding remains a significant obstacle. As of August this year, Cork Prison held 403 inmates, a roughly 30% increase from the prior year. Earlier in the year, 222 inmates were waiting for or engaging with addiction services, out of a population of 310—representing more than two-thirds of those in custody. Advocates warn that long waiting times and high numbers of inmates on waiting lists can undermine rehabilitation efforts and enable cycles of reoffending, particularly for those serving short sentences.
What this means for policy and practice
These figures highlight the need for robust, accessible addiction treatment within prisons, stronger control of illicit substances entering facilities, and careful attention to overcrowding. While the IPS is expanding testing and naloxone distribution, experts argue that sustained investment in mental health and addiction services is essential to reduce overdoses and drug-related incidents in the long term.
Looking ahead
The government and prison watchdogs will be watching whether the 2025 data continue to trend upward in Cork and nationwide. The balance between preventive security measures and rehabilitative support will remain a central question for policymakers, the IPS, and external bodies like the Irish Penal Reform Trust as they assess the impact of overcrowding on access to services and outcomes for inmates.
