asked the Minister for Justice when he proposes to implement the recommendations of the Whitaker report in relation to alternatives to imprisonment; and if the results to date are encouraging.
Written Answers. - Whitaker Report.
32.
Implementation of the recommendations requires not only an examination of the range of alternatives — in fact most of the alternatives mentioned in the report have already been provided for by law — it also requires an assessment as to what alternatives should apply in relation to particular offences or groups of offences. This will necessitate interdepartmental consultation — most Statutes specify offences of one kind or another and, of course, specify the penalties attaching to them. The subject generally is under consideration at present.
The most significant alternative to imprisonment introduced in recent years was the community service scheme. Experience of the operation of this scheme has been encouraging and both its concept and the manner of its implementation were endorsed by the committee.