28th December 2013
Figures up to the end of November 2013 show that there were nearly 15,000 committals in that period. Whereas, there were over 17,000 committals in the same period in 2012. The article points out that... 'Based on Dec 2012 figures, the final number of committals is expected to be under 16,000 for the whole of 2013, compared to more than 17,000 for each of the last three years.'
There are various factors that may be contributing to this drop in committals. These factors include the possible greater use of community-based sanctions and an overall drop in recorded crime.
Read
Irish Examiner, 'Significant' fall in the numbers being jailed'
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.