4th October 2024
Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) welcomed the opportunity to make a submission to the Joint Committee on Justice on the General Scheme of the Life Sentences Bill 2024 (‘the Bill’) to inform its pre-legislative scrutiny process.
IPRT’s understanding is that this Bill, in its current form will require the sentencing Judge, in cases where a life sentence is imposed, to recommend a minimum custodial term (otherwise known as a ‘tariff’) that they believe the convicted person should serve before parole is granted. While the recommendation will not be binding on the Parole Board, it will have to ‘have regard to’ the recommendation when making its decision on whether to grant parole.
IPRT understands that the Bill is still very much in draft form and is only the first step towards making the significant reforms that are proposed. We anticipate that there will be a lot of further work on the Bill over the coming months and we hope to continue engaging with this Committee, as well as the Department of Justice and other key stakeholders, in developing the legislation which does not result in unintended consequences.
IPRT remains firmly opposed in principle to the introduction of mandatory minimum custodial periods.
The submission covers background information, reform and operation of Parole System, the proposed introduction of minimum tariffs, potential unintended consequences, human rights considerations and more.
IPRT makes nine recommendations in the submission.
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.