Here we detail IPRT’s ten priorities for creating better and safer communities, proposals which we believe must be included in a new programme for government. IPRT proposals and recommendations are supported by solid evidence and research, referenced here.
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The most effective strategy in tackling crime is to target resources on those areas of social policy that are proven to be most sensitive to pathways of criminal behaviour. In particular, current investment in tackling drug and alcohol misuse and educational disadvantage, and in supporting primary healthcare (physical and mental) and child protection services, must be maintained. See:
Policy Statement (IPRT/Barnardos/IAYPIC): Shifting Focus: From Criminal Justice to Social Justice
Report (IPRT/Barnardos/IAYPIC): From Justice to Welfare: The Case for Investment in Prevention and Early Intervention
Our prison population has doubled since 1997 with little or no impact on rates of crime in society, and it continues to increase by up to 13% every year. This is unsustainable in light of chronic prison overcrowding and rising prison costs. Government commitment to arrest this increase and to identify means to reduce our prison population is critical. See:
IPRT Position Paper 5: Penal Policy with Imprisonment as a Last Resort
IPRT Position Paper 6: Planning the Future of Irish Prisons
The first step towards reducing our prison population is to end the over-use of imprisonment for non-violent, less serious offences through the development and extension of alternatives to imprisonment. The full implementation of the Fines Act, the enactment of the Community Service Amendment Bill, and the resourcing of these schemes must be a priority. The continued resourcing of the Drugs Court and the Cloverhill Mental Health Prison Inreach and Court Liaison Service are critical in diverting offenders to appropriate services. See:
IPRT Position Paper 8: Community Sanctions
A major factor in our increasing prison population is the large number of relatively low-level drug offenders serving long sentences. Our drugs strategy has placed heavy emphasis on mandatory and presumptive sentencing, which is proving ineffective in targeting organised crime. There is an urgent need for a review of mandatory sentencing laws in the context of an overall review of drugs policy. See:
IPRT Position Paper 3: Mandatory Sentencing
Conditions in our older prisons are in clear violation of basic human rights standards, exposing Ireland to legal challenge at domestic and European level. The priorities for any revised prison building programme must be:
See: IPRT Position Paper 4: Human Rights in Prison
IPRT Briefing: Sanitation and Slopping Out in Irish Prisons
Transparency and accountability are central to any area of public life where human rights are at stake. The successful operation of the Prisons Inspection system must be complemented by an independent complaints system. This can be established either through the establishment of a prison ombudsman, or through amending or extending the remit of existing bodies. The establishment of a specific mechanism to investigate deaths in prison is also necessary. See:
IPRT Position Paper 7: Complaints, Monitoring and Inspection in Prisons
The current Government has failed to deliver on its commitment to end the detention of children at St. Patrick’s Institution, which continues in violation of international human rights law. This must be addressed urgently by the construction of a child-centred detention facility for this group by a fixed date. See:
IPRT Briefing: Detention of Children in St. Patrick's Institution
IPRT Report: Detention of Children: International Standards and Best Practice
The increasing rate of imprisonment of women is a serious concern, not least because of the negative impact on families and communities. The progressive regime at the Dóchas Centre is being undermined by chronic overcrowding and conditions at Limerick Women’s Prison remain unacceptable. A strategy to develop appropriate alternatives to prison and an open prison response to women’s offending must be put in place.
A number of key practical measures will achieve a reduction in re-offending and successful resettlement:
See: IPRT Briefing: Reintegration of Prisoners in Ireland
IPRT Report: “It’s like stepping on a landmine…” - Reintegration of Prisoners in Ireland
Building on the White Paper on Crime consultation process, a comprehensive National Crime Strategy must be put in place, which prioritises crime prevention in building safer communities. This will provide a platform for greater cooperation between all state agencies responsible for crime prevention.
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.