The case for better rehabilitation in Irish prisons

Central Statistics Office research shows little has changed in the penal system in recent decades

Stupidity involves repeating the same exercise, but expecting different results. Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald isn't stupid, but public pressure and political opportunism has prompted her to propose legislation that simply does not work. She would lock up re-offending burglars for longer periods of time. Her public commitment "to keep burglars off the street" is popular with those people who see prisons as places of punishment, rather than rehabilitation. It will not, however, reduce crime rates.

An analysis of recidivism among prisoners, carried out by the Central Statistics Office, shows little has changed in the penal system in recent decades. The re-offending rate among certain categories of prisoner, such as burglars, remains at about 70 per cent. Overall, some 50 per cent of offenders will be re-incarcerated within three years of release. This trend is especially marked among young males from identified, deprived areas. Such outcomes can be expected when prisons are used as a dumping ground for damaged and inadequate individuals, many of whom have drug habits and mental health problems.

It is 12 years since the first Inspector of Prisons Mr Justice Dermot Kinlen called for changes to a system that devoted large amounts of money to keeping people locked up and then released them without accommodation, a source of income or support services. Pilot projects, involving combined State services in support of children and dysfunctional families were initiated in deprived areas. But the recession brought cutbacks.

Criminologists and welfare experts agree that – rather than build additional prison places and impose more severe sentences – the most effective response to minor crime would tackle issues of poverty, illiteracy, drug dependency and lack of opportunity. It is not an easy road. Locking people up is much simpler. A gang culture based on drugs has recently developed within the prison system. Young offenders are particularly vulnerable. They need vocational training while in jail and transitional support, counselling and addiction treatment when they are released.