Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 January 2024
159. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice what measures have been taken to reduce the number of people serving a custodial sentence of 12 months or less in line with the priority commitment since the publication of the Review of Policy Options for Prison and Penal Reform in August 2022; and if any measures were taken, if these measures have resulted in any reduction. [3116/24]
View answerThe Programme for Government contains a broad range of policies and proposals that represent a coherent approach to enhancing and sustaining a more just and safe society, with a specific commitment to review policy options for prison and penal reform.
In respect of delivering on this commitment, the Government approved the Review of Policy Options for Prison and Penal Reform 2022-2024 in August 2022.
This review seeks to find the balance between ensuring that people who commit serious crimes receive a punishment and a period of incarceration proportionate to that crime, while at the same time acknowledging that, in many instances, community-based sanctions are more appropriate in diverting offenders away from future criminal activity and that they have a role to play in addressing criminality, reducing reoffending and providing protection to the public, while holding the individual accountable.
The Department has commissioned researchers to engage with the District Court on the operation of the Criminal Justice (Community Service) (Amendment) Act 2011 and to produce a report on judicial insights and perspectives on the 2011 Act. The outcomes of this report will be considered in detail in the context the aforementioned Review of Policy Options for Prison and Penal Reform.
Further, the Department has undertaken a policy review of the previously published General Scheme of the Criminal Justice (Community Sanctions) Bill 2014. Following on from this, I expect to bring a revised General Scheme to Government in due course.
