United Kingdom: Northern Ireland

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CountryUnited Kingdom: Northern Ireland
Ministry responsible
Northern Ireland Office
Prison administration
Northern Ireland Prison Service
Contact address
Dundonald House, Upper Newtonards Road, GB-Belfast BT4 3SU
Telephone
+44 028 9052 5219 or 0700
Fax
+44 028 9052 5375
Website
https://www.justice-ni.gov.uk/topics/prisons
Head of prison administration (and title)
Beverly Wall
Director General
Prison population total (including pre-trial detainees / remand prisoners)
1 910
at 27.9.2024 (Northern Ireland prison administration)
Prison population rate (per 100,000 of national population)
99
based on an estimated national population of 1.93 million at end of September 2024 (from updated Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency figures)
Pre-trial detainees / remand prisoners (percentage of prison population)
41.2%
(31.1.2023)
Female prisoners (percentage of prison population)
4.9%
(31.1.2023)
Juveniles / minors / young prisoners incl. definition (percentage of prison population)
0.6%
(31.1.2023 - under 18)
Foreign prisoners (percentage of prison population)
11.3%
(31.1.2023)
Number of establishments / institutions
3
(2023 - Maghaberry, Magilligan and Hydebank Wood)
Official capacity of prison system
2 120
(1.1.2024)
Occupancy level (based on official capacity)
86.2%
(1.1.2024)
Prison population trend
(year, prison population total, prison population rate)
2000 1,068 64
2002 1,026 60
2004 1,274 75
2006 1,433 82
2008 1,490 84
2010 1,465 81
2012 1,774 97
2014 1,830 99
2016 1,482 80
2018 1,521 81
2020 1,470 77
2000 1,068 64
2002 1,026 60
2004 1,274 75
2006 1,433 82
2008 1,490 84
2010 1,465 81
2012 1,774 97
2014 1,830 99
2016 1,482 80
2018 1,521 81
2020 1,470 77

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Pre-trial/remand prison population: trend

The table below gives an indication of the recent trend in the pre-trial/remand prison population. The final row shows the latest figures available.

It consists of the number of pre-trial/remand prisoners in the prison population on a single date in the year (or the annual average) and the percentage of the total prison population that pre-trial/remand prisoners constituted on that day.  

The final column shows the pre-trial/remand population rate per 100,000 of the national population. 

                                      UNITED KINGDOM: NORTHERN IRELAND

Year

Number in
pre-trial/remand
imprisonment

Percentage
of total
prison population

Pre-trial/remand
population rate
(per 100,000 of
national population)

2000
2005
2010
2015
2019

311
444
508
398
514

29.1%
34.1%
34.7%
24.0%
34.1%

19
26
28
22
27

2023

721

41.2%

38

It should be noted that the number of pre-trial/remand prisoners fluctuates from day to day, month to month and year to year. Consequently the above figures give an indication of the trend but the picture is inevitably incomplete.                                                      

The pre-trial/remand population rate is calculated on the basis of the national population total. All national population figures are inevitably estimates but the estimates used in the World Prison Brief are based on official national figures, United Nations figures or figures from other recognised international authorities. 

Female prison population: trend

The table below gives an indication of the trend in the female prison population. The final row shows the latest figures available.

It consists of the number of female prisoners in the prison population on a single date in the year (or the annual average) and the percentage of the total prison population that female prisoners constituted on that day. 

The final column shows the female prison population rate per 100,000 of the national population.

                                      UNITED KINGDOM: NORTHERN IRELAND

Year

Number of
female
prisoners

Percentage
of total
prison population

Female prison
population rate
(per 100,000 of
national population)

2000
2005
2010
2015
2019

23
32
43
56
69

2.2%
2.5%
2.9%
3.4%
4.6%

1.4
1.9
2.4
3.0
3.7

2023

85

4.9%

4.4

The number of female prisoners fluctuates and so the above figures give an indication of the trend but the picture is inevitably incomplete.  

The female prison population rate is calculated on the basis of the national population total. All national population figures are inevitably estimates but the estimates used in the World Prison Brief are based on official national figures, United Nations figures or figures from other recognised international authorities.

(If the rate were calculated on the basis of the number of females in the national population it would of course be approximately double the figure in the final column).

Prison population total
Prison population rate