23rd March 2011
IPRT has today published its briefing paper on the Criminal Justice (Community Service) (Amendment) (No.2) Bill 2011 which will see the increased use of community service orders (CSOs) instead of custodial sanctions.
If the Bill is passed, it will require the Courts to consider the use of CSOs for minor offences where the offender would otherwise receive a custodial sentence of up to 12 months. The Bill is an amended version of the one previously drafted by Mr. Dermot Ahern in January 2011.
IPRT welcomes the new Bill as progress towards a criminal justice system where prison is used only as a last resort.
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Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.