Statement: Senator Bacik Welcomes Report of Thornton Hall Review Group

SENATOR BACIK WELCOMES REPORT OF THORNTON HALL REVIEW GROUP

Senator Ivana Bacik
Labour Party Seanad leader and Spokesperson on Justice
29th July2011

Speaking today, Senator Ivana Bacik has welcomed the report of the Thornton Hall Review Group, and commended the report for its emphasis on the need to improve conditions in prisons; and to address overcrowding without necessarily building more prison places.

Senator Bacik said: “I am particularly pleased that the Review Group has recommended that ‘step down facilities' be provided on the Thornton Hall site, to facilitate prisoners in their re-integration to the community following their release. I also greatly welcome the Review Group's recommendation that a comprehensive review be undertaken of penal policy, including prevention, sentencing policies, alternatives to custody and the issues particular to women prisoners and to young offenders within the system. The Group has also recommended the establishment of an inter-departmental working group to examine issues around mental illness in prisons – a vital focus given the high numbers of persons with psychological difficulties currently incarcerated in our prisons.

“Above all, I warmly welcome the change in penal policy envisaged by this Report. When confronted with the problem of prison overcrowding, previous Ministers for Justice have just built more prison places. This is an overly simplistic response which does not help to reduce crime in the long-term. The more measured approach advocated by the Review Group is to be preferred.”

ENDS