Brendan Kenneally
Ceist:80 Mr. Kenneally asked the Minister for Justice the plans, if any, she has to reduce or prevent recidivism among criminals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12898/96]
Written Answers. - Reduction of Recidivism.
Recidivism, or the propensity for habitual or repeat offending, is a recognised phenomenon in all criminal justice systems. It is very much associated with dysfunctional personalities — substance abusers, homeless persons and persons with a social background which is disordered. Recidivism is also associated, of course, with so-called professional criminals such as bank robbers and fraudsters who commit crime as a way of life and seem quite prepared to accept the associated risks of detection and punishment.
Measures which are in place to address recidivism include the provision of non-offending options, particularly for potential young offenders through the juvenile liaison officer scheme. This scheme has been particularly successful, with a quadrupling of the numbers cautioned over the last six years and, more importantly, 89 per cent of these have not reoffended within their two year supervisory period.
The courts are, in addition, increasingly availing of alternatives to custody such as probation and community service orders. Both of these options involve a substantial commitment from the probation and welfare service, which operates under the aegis of my Department.
Within the prison custodial system there is a wide range of services in place aimed at providing offenders, many of whom are repeat offenders, with the means to avoid becoming reinvolved in crime following their return to the community. This principle revolves around self improvement and a consequent increase in confidence and self esteem, leading the individual toward a non-offending lifestyle. The services provided include work skills, training and education and are matched where possible to individual aptitudes and abilities, often unrecognised or untapped prior to imprisonment. There is, in addition, a comprehensive package of medical, psychological and other support services available to assist those suffering from particular problems such as drug addiction.
Most people will, of course, recognise that recidivism is likely to remain a feature of behaviour amongst those inclined towards criminal activity, but I am committed to take whatever action seems likely to prove beneficial in order to minimise its impact both on the individuals concerned and on society as a whole.