27th July 2012
In the Irish Times ('Punishment in prison', 27th July 2012), IPRT Executive Director Liam Herrick points out that the use of prison for the punishment of 'white collar' crime does not necessarily indicate a more progressive or equitable criminal justice system. The imprisonment of Sean Quinn Jnr. raises wider questions about the function of imprisonment, the efficacy of it as a sanction and the need for a fairer criminal justice system for all. Responding to Fintan O'Toole's Irish Times article 'Quinn's jail priveleges show touch of class' (July 24th 2012), Liam highlights the social and economic sense made by non-custodial alternatives such as community service where appropriate.
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Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.