Nearly 18,000 prisoners in Ireland went without any visits over a one-year period, newly released data reveals, reports The Mirror.
Information obtained under the Freedom of Information Act shows that from 2019 to 2024, an average of close to 2,900 inmates each year did not have standard visits. The highest number was recorded in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, when 3,147 prisoners had no regular contact through visits.
These numbers, shared by the Irish Prison Service, represent incarcerated individuals who were not visited by either family members or friends throughout the year, reports The Mirror.
Saoirse Brady, executive director of the Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT), said that families often face several challenges when trying to stay connected with someone in prison.
“For many families, prison visiting times are not family friendly, often taking place in the middle of a weekday meaning they have to make a difficult choice between seeing their loved one for a short visit and taking time off work or missing school on a regular basis,” Brady said, reports The Mirror.
“Families, including those with small children, often have to travel for hours and take multiple forms of transport to see their family member for half an hour or less.”
Brady also pointed to persistent difficulties with visit booking systems and technological problems.
“Phones in some prisons are rarely answered, and online booking systems are often inaccessible, making it almost impossible to book a visit, plan ahead and actually see your family member face-to-face,” reports The Mirror.
She noted that while video visits were helpful for some families during the pandemic, they can be unreliable.
She added: “That means that the virtual visit won’t go ahead causing disappointment not only for the person in prison but also their partner and children sitting waiting at home.
“We’ve heard of relationships breaking down because of that disconnect and the frustration felt by many parents because of how difficult it is to keep in touch and know what’s going on in their children’s lives,” reports The Mirror.
She added: “There are a variety of reasons why people mightn’t get visits. (It) could be because they are living so far away from their family, some don’t want their family to see them in prison, or some don’t have contact with family. Also some people may be in for very short periods of time – days, weeks or months so perhaps families couldn’t make the trip in that timeframe,“ reports The Mirror.
By law, prisoners in Ireland are allowed one in-person family visit per week, or one virtual visit, with both limited to 30 minutes. Up to three adult visitors are allowed during physical visits.
The Irish Prison Service acknowledged the importance of keeping prisoners connected with their families and friends, calling it an essential part of rehabilitation and reintegration, reports The Mirror.
An IPS spokesperson said video calls, which began during the pandemic, have been “very successful,” with more than 12,000 calls made in 2025. “Prisoners can avail of one 20-minute video visit per week to nominated family and friends,” reports The Mirror.
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