3rd February 2011
The Irish Times today reports on IPRT's calls on an incoming government to commit itself to enacting legislation ensuring that the practice of imprisoning people for non-payment of fines is brought to an end:
"The trust was responding to figures released by Minister for Justice and Law Reform Brendan Smith indicating that 6,681 people had been imprisoned for non-payment of court ordered fines in 2010.
"Trust executive director Liam Herrick said the imprisonments were despite the signing of the Fines Act 2010 into law on June 2nd, 2010. “The full commencement of this legislation, along with the passing of the Criminal Justice (Community Service) (Amendment) Bill 2011 at the earliest possible date by the next Government, are critical to addressing the chronic overcrowding and consequent impact on inhumane conditions in Irish prisons,” he said.
Read The Irish Times article in full.
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.