The Dóchas Centre women's prison in Dublin is described as shabby in the latest report by the prison's visiting committee.
The committee said it found the roof leaking, the kitchens in a state of disrepair, with doors falling off and quite a few appliances not working during a number of visits last year.
It said that while some of these have now been repaired, the use of some communal rooms as bedrooms and the health centre to accommodate up to six women is not acceptable.
Minister for Justice Alan Shatter said 20 new spaces were provided last December, bringing capacity up to 105, but the visiting committee said as many as 130 have been accommodated in the prison.
The report also described dental care as inaccessible except in an emergency.
It said it was unacceptable that two women were not able to get adequate relief or access to hospital for treatment.
It highlighted staffing levels as a great concern, as well as the ability of staff to recognise potential crisis incidents.
The minister has acknowledged the concerns over staffing levels and overcrowding and said the kitchens and sitting rooms in two of the houses had been upgraded last year and other refurbishments were under way at the prison.
On healthcare, Mr Shatter said the objective was to provide equivalence of care comparable to that available to medical card holders in the community.
Elsewhere, the Cloverhill Prison visiting committee highlighted overcrowding as a major problem in the remand prison, with over 500 often being detained there and some inmates are sleeping on floors.
In its annual report for 2012, the committee also cited TB, the detention of people awaiting deportation and the fact that the drug dog is no longer used during the week as issues of concern.
The report said the use of the gym and library are being undermined by staff shortages and the committee is disappointed that video conferencing is not available in many courts, which is affecting the efficiency of the service.
Minister Shatter said treatment for TB is being managed by the HSE in line with national guidelines.
The Castlerea visiting committee report highlighted staff shortages, where there are seven short of what is required.
However, it commended the prison authorities for the education, kitchen and medical facilities and the staff saving the lives of a number of people who attempted had attempted to take their own lives.
