Both prisons on the midlands are operating at over 100% capacity.
The number of prisoners in Ireland has surpassed 5,000 for the first time.
On average over 4,800 people were detained every month this year.
The Midlands Prison is at 112% capacity today, with over 100 more prisoners in custody than there are beds available.
While Portlaoise Prison is also over-crowded, at 104% capacity.
It follows a European wide report earlier this year which found Ireland had a prison density of 99.4 prisoners for every 100 places available.
Niall Spelman, a Former Assistant Governor, says he's unsurprised by the figures:
The former Governor of Portlaoise Prison says we should cap numbers in our prisons.
John Lonergan says there are measures we could be taking to get on top of the growing problem:
Planning Permission Approved For New 800 Pupil Secondary School In Midlands
Annual Rose Of Tralee Tour Underway
Longford-Westmeath TD Urges Action On Vacant HSE-Owned Buildings
Taoiseach Backs Offaly Camino Proposal
Laois Pride Launch Writing Competition In Memory Of Joe Drennan
Laois Truck Driver Arrested For Driving Overweight Truck Under Influence
Offaly Business Closed Over Food Safety Breach
Gardai Continuing Laois Meadow Fire Investigation