Both of the midlands prisons are overcrowded again today.
The Inspector of Prisons says he has been "sounding the alarm" on the record levels of overcrowding in jails since he took office two years ago.
The Midlands Prison is at 113% capacity today, with over 100 more inmates in custody than there are beds available.
While Portlaoise Prison is at 103% capacity.
Concern is now being expressed that the levels of overcrowding could led to a violent outburst.
Gabriel Keavney of the Irish Prison Officers' Association says their fears are going unheard:
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