20th January 2012
The Irish Times reports that the Irish Penal Reform Trust is backing the Law Reform Commissions proposal to review the mandatory minimum sentencing policy for certain drug offences.
IPRT's Liam Herrick is quoted as calling this sentencing policy a 'blunt instrument' which punishes people for the "value rather than the weight or quantity of drugs found in their possession".
The article goes on to discuss further proposals in the Consultation Paper which suggest judges should be able to recommend a minimum number of years to be served by those convicted of murder.
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Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.