21st October 2024
On Monday 21 October, in a conversation about drug use, addiction and anti-social behaviour on RTE's Upfront with Katie Hannon show, Irish Penal Reform Trust Executive Director, Saoirse Brady, responded to the panel discussion which included Dr Ian Marder, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan, Deputy Gary Gannon and Ciara Kelly.
Saoirse highlighted the unprecedented numbers of people in overcrowded prisons, many who are in prison for short sentences and who have an addiction. She highlighted that many cannot get the support they need for their addiction in prison. Prison will not work to address many underlying causes of offending behaviour. People should be able to serve their sentences and get addiction support in the community. We need to invest in alternatives that are proven to work and ultimately result in less crime.
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.