Prisoners in local prisons received over €330,000 in pocket money from the state last year.
According to Freedom of Information Figures, prisoners in Castlerea and Loughan House received a further 480,000 in gifts from family and friends.
Every inmate in the state receives a daily allowance from the Irish Prison Service, which they can spend in the tuck shop.
The standard rate is 1 euro and 70 cents a day, but this rises to 2.20 for well-behaved prisoners and is cuts to 95 cents for bad behaviour.
Inmates can get additional payments of up to 3.50 a week for working in areas like kitchens or laundries, or for painting.
Last year, this totalled to €235,000 in Castlerea Prison and €98,000 in Loughan House Open Prison in Cavan.
Retired prison officer, John Cuffe, says the amounts are not too high.
Additional gifts from family and friends added up to 387,000 in Castlerea and €92,000 in Loughan House.
