Almost 7,000 jailed over fines

The number of people being imprisoned for non-payment of fines has risen to record levels in spite of Government commitments to end the practice.

Almost 7,000 people were committed to prison for non-payment of fines up to the end of November and a further 29 people were jailed for failing to pay civil debts. Last year, 6,683 people were imprisoned for not paying fines, while in 2008 the figure was just 2,500.

The programme for government promised to end the practice of imprisoning people who cannot pay fines and debts. The Fine Gael manifesto made the same commitment. Labour promised jailing would be a penalty of last resort for non-violent offenders.

According to Minister for Justice Alan Shatter, the number of non-payers of fines held in custody at any one time is a minute fraction of the overall prison population. On the last day of November, for example, 20 prisoners, or 0.5 per cent of the prison population, were behind bars for this reason, he told Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae.

The programme for government also promised full implementation of the Fine Act 2010, which includes measures to minimise the level of default on fines and to ensure that defaulters are not committed to prison.

It requires a court to consider the financial circumstances of a person before the amount of the fine is determined.

Mr Shatter said he intended to commence with other provisions in the Act in 2012. These allow for payment of fines by instalment, the appointment of receivers to recover outstanding fines or property to the same value, and the substitution of community service orders for unpaid fines.

"I expect that these measures, taken together, will all but eliminate the need to commit persons to prison for non-payment of fines," Mr Shatter said.

At least 15 Opposition TDs who are campaigning against the new household charge say they are prepared to go to jail for non-payment of the charge, for which fines of up to €2,500 can be imposed. However, Mr Shatter also intends to introduce a system which takes money from wages or social welfare by "attachment order" to pay off a fine over time, as an alternative to imprisonment.