Saoirse Brady of the Irish Penal Reform Trust says the new government should listen to the experts when it comes to creating a functioning, humane prison system in Ireland.
NOW THAT THE makeup of the incoming government is fairly apparent, attention turns to the promises that the different coalition partners will negotiate over the coming weeks and include in their Programme for Government.
The Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) has six priorities to address systemic challenges in the justice system, reduce offending, enhance public safety, and ensure dignity and fairness for all.
During the General Election campaign, some manifestos tried to outdo each other in the “tough on crime” stakes. However, proposals to create additional prison spaces, or even to build a whole new prison, will do little to alleviate today’s prison overcrowding crisis, with safe capacity levels breached daily resulting in unacceptable living conditions and increasing tensions.