Press Release: Bacik appointed Rapporteur to Joint Oireachtas Justice Sub Committee on Penal Reform

BACIK APPOINTED RAPPOURTEUR TO JOINT OIREACHTAS JUSTICE SUB-COMMITTEE ON PENAL REFORM

Senator Ivana Bacik, Labour Senator for Dublin University,
Wednesday 19th October 2011

At a meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality this morning, a Sub-Committee on Penal Reform was established, at the initiative of Senator Bacik.

The Sub-Committee will analyse the recommendations of the Thornton Hall Project Review Group in respect of non-custodial alternatives to imprisonment. David Stanton TD, Chairperson of the Joint Committee, will chair the Sub-Committee. Senator Ivana Bacik has been appointed as Rapporteur.

Speaking today, Senator Bacik said:

“I very much welcome the establishment of the Sub-Committee on Penal Reform. We will seek to build upon the recommendations of the Thornton Hall Group by examining more closely back-door strategies for non-custodial alternatives; ie procedures involving a structured form of early release. We will examine the experience from other jurisdictions of potential models for early release, including the concept of ‘earned temporary release' and release under community supervision.

“At a time when we see massive overcrowding in our prisons, it is critical that we examine seriously the alternatives to imprisonment, not only preventative strategies but also strategies for ensuring structured and orderly methods of early release.”

ENDS