Sinn Féin launched their election manifesto, The Choice for Change, on Tuesday 19 November 2024. Below, IPRT analyses relevant proposals contained in the manifesto.
Increasing new Youth Diversion Projects and expanding age eligibility
IPRT fully supports the proposal to increase the age limit for the application to Youth Diversion Programme Projects. A significant body of international research shows that young adults are more at risk of becoming involved in offending behaviour, and that prison is often an inappropriate and counterproductive means of dealing with young adults. Interventions and good practice that have proven successful in the Irish youth justice system should be extended to young adults aged 18-24. This aligns with recent and ongoing work by the Department of Justice to consider diversion options for this age cohort.
Doubling investment in Restorative Justice Programmes and implementing Sinn Féin’s Criminal Justice (Promotion of Restorative Justice) (Amendment) Bill 2023
Doubling investment in the provision of restorative justice is a forward-thinking proposal that demonstrates a progressive approach to responding to offending behaviour. Restorative justice allows people who have offended to take responsibility for their actions while providing victims with a voice, opportunities to get answers and can support their healing from harm. Sinn Féin’s legislative focus on embedding restorative justice within the criminal justice system is especially welcome, as it signals a commitment to moving beyond the current oftentimes ad hoc response to a more integrated approach. Proper implementation and resourcing will be critical to ensuring restorative justice is promoted and understood, accessible, equitable, and effective.
Increasing funding to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Courts Service and for Legal Aid
Additional funding for these services is necessary but any further investment must include an impact assessment to project what potential consequences this could have on an already overstretched criminal justice system, particularly in terms of prison and probation capacity. One area where ring-fenced funding for the Courts Service should be provided, is to upgrade the system to ensure better collection and collation of data related to sentencing so that trends can be better identified and to improve transparency.
Increasing funding to the prison service
While additional funding for the prison service may address immediate operational challenges, such as overcrowding and understaffing, IPRT urges that investment be prioritised for improving rehabilitation and to reduce reoffending. Increased funding should focus on enhancing mental health and addiction services, expanding educational and vocational opportunities, and improving living and working conditions for both prisoners and staff alike. Investment should emphasise rehabilitation and modernisation over any expansion of the prison estate.
In addition to enacting more robust penalties against those convicted of animal abuse and neglect, we would ensure that those culpable are held to account through new sentencing guidelines for the courts to affect.
IPRT notes that this is an emotive topic for many, but we emphasise the need for proportionate responses to such offending. Introducing a new specific offence may overlap with existing laws, potentially complicating enforcement rather than enhancing it. A more effective approach may involve ensuring consistent application of existing assault laws and examining necessary changes to pet control and ownership.
Sinn Féin is committed to adding the additional ground of socioeconomic discrimination to the Equality Acts.
IPRT fully supports the addition of socioeconomic status as a discrimination ground, as supported by others in civil society such as FLAC (Free Legal Advice Centres) and the #Addthe10th Alliance, and by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC). While there is a lack of robust data on the social profile of people in Irish prisons, previous studies suggest that people in prison have a history of social exclusion, including high levels of family, educational and health disadvantage, and poor prospects in the labour market. This link between prison and social exclusion highlights the possible consequences of socio-economic deprivation and supports the introduction of a specific ground of discrimination to help counter such disadvantage. IPRT has also called for the Equality Acts to be amended to introduce a ground of discrimination on the basis of a criminal conviction, as has IHREC.
Additionally, IPRT notes that the preamble to the manifesto’s main priorities relating to criminal justice states that “public safety is a whole of government responsibility”. This holistic understanding of public safety is welcome.
For IPRT’s 10 Priority Proposals for General Election Manifestos 2024, click here.
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.