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Sentencing Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 May 2012

Tuesday, 8 May 2012

Ceisteanna (37)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

86 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the additional resources he is giving the Prison Services and Probation Services to deal with the early release programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22643/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As I said earlier, the Irish Prison Service Strategic Plan contains a number of key objectives for the next three years one of which includes the expansion of a pilot community return project which commenced last October in line with the recommendations of the Thornton Hall Project Review Group.

This Community Return programme is an incentivised scheme run in conjunction with the Probation Service which provides for earned temporary release under which offenders who pose no threat to the community are offered early temporary release in return for supervised community service. I am satisfied that both Services have sufficient resources to support the scheme at present.

The Probation Service has been able to manage and resource the scheme since its commencement last October and I am fully committed to ensuring this will continue. As it is, the Probation Service has responsibility for the supervision and management of Community Service Orders in accordance with the Criminal Justice (Community Service) Act 1983 as amended by the Criminal Justice (Community Service) (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 2011. This work, inter alia, involves providing assessment reports to the Courts and managing the completion of the Orders by offenders.

I am also pleased to say that sanction was recently obtained to fill the vacant Probation Service Director post which will be advertised in the coming weeks. In addition, a new Interagency Unit involving staff from the Irish Prison Service and the Probation Service is being established to develop and co-ordinate arrangements for the national roll out of this project. Dedicated resources from within both agencies will be assigned to the Unit with a view to creating an enhanced dynamic of interagency co-operation and maximising efficiency and effectiveness.

The Irish Prison Service and Probation Service will also develop joint funding arrangements in order to maximize the availability of structured programmes in the community, providing reparation to society and assisting prisoners in their rehabilitation.

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