Vol. 461 No. 2
109 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice if she supports the view that the perpetrators of crime should be given a clear message that they will go to prison and stay there until they have paid their debt to society and an example must be made of those who are convicted by the courts to others who may be of like mind; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2467/96]
The law gives the Minister for Justice the discretion to manage prison sentences handed down by the courts. I believe that the Minister should be able to implement the law, freed to the greatest extent possible from the constraints imposed by the shortage of prison accommodation.
However, I acknowledge that, due to demands on prison accommodation, some offenders serve a smaller proportion of their sentence than would otherwise be the case. This has been the case for several years. There is, therefore, a need to increase our prison capacity. My recent proposals, and the Government's consequent decisions on them in this regard, should bring about a significant improvement in the situation.
