Irish Penal Reform Trust

Alternatives to Custody

IPRT advocates for an Irish penal policy that is focused on non-custodial responses to crime, and which has rehabilitation and social integration at its centre.

Ireland systematically overuses imprisonment as punishment. While the average prison population on any given day in Ireland is close to the European average, the rates of committal to prison on sentence – the ‘flow’ of prisoners through the system – means that Ireland is one of the most punitive criminal justice systems in Europe. Additionally, the majority of people are sent to prison for short-term sentences, often for less than 6 months. Irish prisons are chronically overcrowded, and many prisoners who are sent to prison could be more effectively dealt with using non-custodial means.

IPRT believes that the best way of limiting the use of imprisonment in Ireland is the development of an integrated system of alternatives to custody. Alternatives to custody could include the wider use of suspended sentences, community service orders, etc.

The Criminal Justice (Community Service) (Amendment) Act 2011 introduced a requirement that the courts consider imposing CSOs for offences that would ordinarily attract a sentence of 12 months’ imprisonment or less. However, the Annual Reports of the Irish Prison Service and the Probation Service since the enactment of the Amendment indicate that the legislation has so far not had the desired impact on reducing the use of imprisonment for less serious offences.

IPRT will continue to promote an increase in the use of non-custodial effective responses to crime as a means of reducing the numbers in detention, without net-widening.

US: Reading courses as an alternative to prison

21st July 2010

In Texas, offenders are being sent on reading courses instead of going to prison.

Drug Treatment Court to be Expanded

24th May 2010

The numbers being processed through the Drug Treatment Court are to be expanded following a review which shows that the scheme has reduced reoffending rates.

Irish Times: Minimise use of custody with fewer but better cells

14th May 2010

Professor Ian O'Donnell, writing in the Irish Times, presses home the need for a rethink of penal expansionism.

Irish Examiner: Project bridges the gap

14th May 2010

Since 1991, Dublin's Bridge Project has been working with persistent offenders and offering an alternative to prison.

Oireachtas Seminar on Community Sanctions

31st March 2010

Dr Mairead Seymour and Prof Ian O'Donnell on the need for the proper resourcing of community sanctions.

Restorative justice is about balance: between therapeutic and retributive models;

22nd March 2010

Restorative justice creates a balance between the rights and responsibilities of offenders and the needs of victims; between a community's desire for local solutions and the state's duty to punish.

UK: The Cost of Short Sentences

10th March 2010

A new report by the National Audit Office in the UK highlights the social and economic cost of short sentences.

US: Downsizing the Prison Population

10th March 2010

The reduction of the prison population is the focus of two US reports.

NI: Community Service Schemes Receive a Glowing Report

10th March 2010

A report released in NI today examines the Probation Board's Community Service schemes.

Irish Examiner: Drop of 64% in offence rate by youths in scheme

26th February 2010

A new one-on-one young offender management scheme shows impressive results.

Our work is supported by

Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.

Subscribe

Legal

Contact us

This website uses cookies to provide a good browsing experience

Some are necessary to help our website work properly and can't be switched off, and some are optional. Click on "Choose cookies" below for more information on the cookies being used on this website. Please note that based on your settings, not all functions of the website may be available. You can manage your preferences by visiting “Cookie preferences" at the bottom of any page.

This website uses cookies to provide a good browsing experience

Some are necessary to help our website work properly and can't be switched off, and some are optional. Please choose the cookies to allow below. Please note that based on your settings, not all functions of the website may be available. You can manage your preferences by visiting “Cookie preferences" at the bottom of any page.

Your cookie preferences have been saved.