Sir, - Your reporter may have misunderstood some remarks made by Professor Rod Morgan, Professor of Criminology, University of Bristol (February 20th). He was reported as saying that the last report into Irish prisons was more than 20 years old. This is not the case.
The latest annual report on prisons available to Professor Morgan at the time was for 1993, published in September 1996. Since then, the report for 1994 was published on February 26th 1997. We, and Professor Morgan, feel that such delays undercut the value of the reports as bases for analysis and planning.
The quote from Professor Morgan, "this is no way to run a criminal justice system", referred to the fact that there is very little information available on court practices relating to bail. Such information should have been the basis of any analysis undertaken before deciding to change the bail laws.
Effective planning for our criminal justice system requires detailed and accurate data on individual histories, from the commission of a crime to release from prison. Instead we have a fragmented system of record keeping by the Gardai, the courts and the prison system. The degree of fragmentation is obvious from the fact that the Gardai and the prisons do not even use the same classification of offences, and the courts hardly keep statistical records at all.
Professor Morgan sounded a warning on the alarming rise in the number of prison places being created in the UK. It is depressing to note the recent plans to increase the numbers of prisoners in three Irish prisons, particularly the plan to expand the policy of doubling up in single cells. In Mountjoy, this policy contributes to an atmosphere of heightened tension and poses difficulties for management, staff and prisoners alike.
When will we see the implementation of a long term strategy to tackle the causes of crime, and the implementation of rehabilitative and diversionary measures aimed at breaking the cycle of violence? The crucial first step is the systematic collection and analysis of detailed, meaningful data so as to understand the causes and effect of crime and punishment. - Yours etc.
Chairperson,
Irish Penal Reform Trust,
4 Merchants' Quay,
Dublin 8.