16th April 2024
IPRT Executive Director, Saoirse Brady, joined Fine Gael Senator Barry Ward on RTÉ Radio 1 for the Today with Claire Byrne show to discuss sentencing, parole and creating safer communities.
Saoirse said that increasing the length of sentences for knife crime because there has been an increase in people carrying knives shows that this approach to sentencing doesn't seem to work. She goes on to say that while sentencing can act as a deterrent and publishment, it also needs to work for reform and rehabilitation.
Speaking about an example in Scotland, Saoirse tells listeners that investment in empowering young people and youth work has resulted in a reduction in knife crime amongst young people and has had a wider impact on the rest of society. Harsher sentencing only looks at the symptom, not the root cause and the reasons why people are carrying knives need to be examined.
With talk of minimum sentencing, Saoirse speaks about how the relatively new Parole Board functions and its role. She said that we must retain the belief that people can change and be rehabilitated.
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.