Irish Prison System Essay

In 2012, the average personify of im prison house house housement per prisoner in Ireland was 65, 404. The current prison population is 4, 306. Thats an estimated 282, 000,000 of the tax granters gold spent on prisons in Ireland per annum.IntroductionThis Irish prison remains consists of 15 different institutions. This is made up of eleven traditional unsympathetic prisons, two open prisons, a training prison and a prison for young offenders. All of our prisons be termed medium-low security, apart from Portlaoise prison a virile only prison and our countries only high security prison. The purpose of a prison is to retain those legally committed of a iniquity as penalty or whilst they await trial. The mission of the Irish prison armed supporter (as stated in their 2010 yearbook Report) is to provide safe(p), secure and humane delay for people who are sent to prison.The Service is committed to managing custodial sentences in a elbow room which advances and supports pri soners in their endeavouring to live legal philosophy abiding and purposive lives as valued members of society. This essay will examine the capital which is currently spent on the Irish prison body and assess if the Irish prison system merits the currency which it expends. Is 65,404 a reasonable amount to leave out on the legal penalization of one individual, and are the systems in repoint effective in providing our prisoners with rehabilitation and social regeneration? Utilising these findings the dissertateion will look for to offer alternative systems of penalty to handcuffs.Poor ConditionsThe European crowd for the stripe of Torture and untamed or Degrading Treatment or punishment (CPT) carried out an examination of Irish prison conditions in January- February 2010. The draw described degrading behaviour and un-hygienic conditions. An examination of Portlaoise prisons E-b curlicue observed inadequate and un usurpable well facilities. The cells were small (6m) a nd some(prenominal) of them were dilapidated with bolt downcast windows and dirty ramparts.None of the cells had in-cell sanitation and, at night, if a prisoner had to rat he was equally thereafter to wrap up the faeces in a parcel and sometimes throw it out of the window. A characteristic solar day for a prisoner is made up of 16 time of days of lock up, those under severe confinement can endure 18 hours or more of being restricted to their cell. In extreme cases some prisoners may non even get to take place one hour a day outside of their cell. The CPT concluded that 23-hour lock-up should only be considered as a temporary respite, whereas in the Irish prison system it has substantial into a general measure.The prisoners LifeWhilst research presents the cold conditions that exist in some of our prisons we also hear reports of amateurly facilities that some law abiding working class citizens do non even devote access too. In 2009 journalist with the nevertheless(p renominal)ing Herald, Cormac Looney states that a shopping mall of almost 200,000 was spent on sports equipment for prisoners in Ireland. He notes that Mountjoy prison house sure 36,388 worth or sports, gym and recreational equipment, while inmates of the high-security Portlaoise prison which accept former gang lord John Giligan received 28, 214 in sports equipment.Fiach Kelly of the Irish Independent informed us in 2010 that members of the Irish prison service had signed an additional 200,000 contract to upgrade our prisons for the subsequent three years. Kelly quotes o.k. Gaels then spokesman on public spending, Brian Hayes. I fully accept the prisoners learn proper gym facilities, he said. The question is why are they being kitted out again at this cost. I find it sort of extraordinary the IPS (Irish Prisoners Service) signed off on this lavish expenditure item. The IPS reassert these expenses, claiming the equipment was of good value for the agreed price. An IPS spokesper son maintained that the provision of a gym would in the long run help prisoners to take pick up of other field of studys of their lives.Surely our prison systems main priority should be performing in accordance to their mission statement as stated in their three year strategic plan (2012-2015), adhering to the guidelines set for protecting staple fiber human rights and meeting the prescribed wellness and safety standards. Our Mission Providing safe and secure custody, dignity of care and rehabilitation to prisoners for safer communities.Our Vision A safer confederacy through excellence in a prison service reinforced on respect for human dignity.A Case Study intimate the JoyLittle do Irishmen know the wretchedness of imprisonment.(John K. Casey, Fenian prisoner, Mountjoy Prison)Much no-holds-barred literary works exist on the inside stories of Mountjoy prison. They reveal what look is really like as an inmate from desperation and depression, to bullying, beatings and the drug s network. The 2010 report by the CPT describes the ill-treatment of prisoners by staff members. An inmate of Mountjoy prison claims he was physically assaulted by a number of prison officersA prisoner at Mountjoy Prison allege that on 15 October 2009 he was physically assaulted in his cell by several prison officers, in the course of which he claimed he was throw on the floor and repeatedly stamped and hit on the chest, arms and head. He also alleged that he was punched in the ribs while being escorted down the stairs to the basement of B Block 9. The photographic evidence of the injuries contained in the medical record is consistent with repeated injury to the chest wall extensive bruising of the outer aspect of the left arm is not consistent with simply having been restrained.Former Governor of Mountjoy John Lonergan provides an insight into the prison. Even Lonergan maintains it was still a kip when he retired in June 2010. Paul Howards tell-all grudge of a prisoners life in Mountjoy unveil unforgiving revelations of the desperate conditions Irelands bends endure. Prisoners are limited to one shower a hebdomad and one change of underwear per week. We learn of the minusculest things that bring joy to the inmates much(prenominal) as a radio-show by Father Michael Cleary and the effects that using a privilege like the use of the library have on prisoners.Problems with Irish PrisonsThe Irish Prison System leaves a lot to be desired, depict below are two of the major(ip) problems the system faces.* OvercrowdingAn over-reliance of the Irish criminal system on imprisonment as a form of punishment is just one explanation but forward in an attempt to explain the vast number (4,306) of criminals sentenced to imprisonment. The number of individuals sent to prison for not paying fines has increased by 10.5%, resulting in an estimated 18 non-fine payers occupying prison cells on some(prenominal) one day.Findings of the CPT report over-crowding in all the maj or prisons. The report questions the progress of Mountjoys Thornton Hall complex which the Irish government activity had originally optimistically stated would be complete and ready for line of work in 2010, this date has now been pushed back to 2015. Besides building crude cells and providing additional sleeping arrangements our only option is to focus the number of individuals admitted to our prisons. Tackling the crime rate is another problem so for now we should look at providing petty criminals with punishment other than imprisonment. The Irish Prison Services Annual Reports for 2002 and 2003, noting the expense of keeping an individual in prison stress that imprisonment must remain the sanction of last resort.* Staffing IssuesIn 2010 the Irish quizzer amongst other national publications alleged that northwardern Irelands prisons had more staff than inmates. Particular reference was made to Maghaberry prison, a high security prison in Co. Antrim. Statistics presented showe d that Northern Irelands 1,500 prisoner population was staffed by almost 2,300 persons. A well-staffed prison is not sufficient if it cant cognize its inmates basic human rights and provide facilities which satisfy these. 282,000,000 Worth of ExpensesIf overcrowding is common, and basic sanitary facilities are not being provided then why is the Irish Prison System expending an overwhelming amount of capital? While the figures are high expenditure has actually de-creased in recent years, this is not cod to a fall in the number of prisoners but more to do with the issue of overcrowding which reduces the cost of bed space. Again we need to look at those responsible for the management of staffing and finance. It seems the Irish Prison System, like much of the enounces governing bodies need a lesson in financial management. What is the choice?There is no question that prisons are an integral part of any functioning society, but in ready to provide basic facilities for criminals who subscribe much(prenominal) punishment we need to look at the crimes that may not require punishment of that extent. We need to look at alternative nub of punishment for the likes of non-fine payers and similar offenders. The Evening Herald tells us that just less than 200 individuals were punished with prison sentences for not paying court fines connect to TV licenses in 2011. The article shows that 25 people a day are now being sent to prison for failing to pay court fines. There were 1, 680 women sent to prison in 2011 and 1, 300 of those were due to their failure to pay court ordered fines. An obvious alternative punishment for non-fine payers and similar offenders is community service, no real threat to society as a whole and humiliation and inconvenience would be effective punishment for such crimes.Community service could be in their local area so as to increase the humiliation therefore deter individuals from re-offending and encourage others to pay such charges. Another suggestion is the introduction of manual fatigue into the prison system. The Irish Prison System outlined the need for physical exercise for prisoners, instead of spending capital on the provision of state-of-the-art seaworthiness and training equipment serious offenders could be forced to participate in tasks such as the cleaning, up-keep and refurbishing of prisons. While a prisoners intrinsic rights and health must always be foremost in decision fashioning a reduction in some more lavish recreational facilities may reduce the number of re-offenders when they have extremely negative experiences in prison.The number of prisoners committed to prison more than once in 2010 stood at 3,421. In More Streetwise Stories from Irish Prisons editor and part-time prison teacher Neville Thompson suggests the provision of a back-up system for prisoners when they are released. He describes a touring theatre company which he hopes to set up What a negate Productions. The company would engage in writing, music, acting, set design and production. This idea could reduce the number of re-offenders. With too much time to think and very little space in which to do it prisoners very frequently resort to writing or poetry, involvement in something positive which helps them discuss and come to terms with their experiences in prison may discourage prisoners from return to crime.Thompson envisages the production company eventually becoming self-supporting but justifies initial government financial input in these terms It now be 85,000 to keep a prisoner inside. God knows how many prisoners rob forwards they are caught again. However, we are looking to get 20,000 per prisoner for the projects we have in hand. At first instance, taking the projects we have in place it would cost us 200,000 to keep our project afloat for a year as opposed to 850,000 to keep them incarcerated.ConclusionWhile the idea that prisons are a complete waste of money is generally as result of ignorance t he king-size amount of capital that the Irish Prison System expends is not reassert when we look at the failure of Irish prisons to deliver basic facilities to inmates. We need to sentence those who need to be dealt with in such a way and look at an alternative means of punishment for those who dont require such punishment. Much media coverage tells us of the lavish lifestyles which inmates such as Sean Quinn lead. This glamourises prison life and needs to be tackled in order to promote a less-appealing system and make the Irish prison system what it should be a threat to discourage individuals from committing crimes. The suggestion that tackling media portrayal of life in prison would greatly reduce the number of offenders is highly opulent but coupled with an effective program for criminals coming out of prison may at least reduce the number of re-offenders.ReferencesBooks* Carey, T. 2000. Mountjoy The Story of a Prison. phellem The Collins Press. * Howard, P.1996. The Joy. ca pital of Ireland The OBrien Press.* Lonergan, J. 2010. The Governor. Dublin Penguin Ireland. * ODonnell, I. and OSullivan. E. 2001. Crime Control in Ireland The politics of Intolerance. Cork Cork University Press. * OMahony, P. 2000. Prison Policy in Ireland Criminal Justice versus Social Justice. Cork Cork University Press. * Thompson, N. 2007. More Streetwise Stories from Irish Prisons. Mullingar Killynon House Books Ltd. judicature Publications* Irish Prison Service 2012. Three Year Strategic Plan Online available from http//www.drugsandalcohol.ie/17473/1/ips_three_year_strategic_plan.pdf Last Accessed 09 whitethorn 2013 * The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment 2010. Report to the Government of Ireland on the visit to Ireland carried out by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Online. open from http//www.cpt.coe.int/documents/irl/2011-03-inf-eng.pdf Ac cessed 09 whitethorn 2013. * The Irish Prison Service 2010. Irish Prison Service Annual Report Online unattached fromhttp//www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Irish_Prison_Service_2010_Annual_Report.pdf/Files/Irish_Prison_Service_2010_Annual_Report.pdf Accessed 09 May 2013 publisher Articles* Kelly, F. 2010. Prisons to spend 200,000 on lavish equipment for gyms. The Irish Independent Ireland Online, 13 October. Available from http//www.independent.ie/irish- word/prisons-to-spend-200000-on-lavish-equipment-for-gyms-26689415.html Accessed 09 May 2013. * Lavery, M. 2013. 121 women are sent to jail for failing to pay TV licence fines. The Evening Herald Ireland Online, 15 December. Available from http//www.herald.ie/news/121-women-are-sent-to-jail-for-failing-to-pay-tv-licence-fines-28963049.html Accessed 09 May 2013. * Looney, C. 2009. 200k for prison gyms as garda budget slashed. The Evening Herald Ireland Online, 05 March. Available from http//www.herald.ie/news/200k-for-prison-gyms-as-garda-bud get-slashed-27903752.html Accessed 09 May 2013. * OKeefe, C. 2013. Prison bosses urge to kick football spend to touch. The Irish Examiner Ireland Online, 10 January. Available from http//www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/prison-bosses-urged-to-kick-football-spend-to-touch-219146.html Accessed 09 May 2013. * The Irish Examiner, 2010. Norths prisons ineffective despite having more staff than prisoners. 14 December. Available from http//www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/norths-prisons-ineffective-despite-having-more-staff-than-prisoners-485592.html Accessed 09 May 2013.Websites* The Irish Penal Reform Trust 2013. Facts and figures Online. Available from http//www.iprt.ie/ Last Accessed 09 May 2013. * The Irish Prison Service 2013. Prisons Online Available from http//www.irishprisons.ie/index.php/joomlaorg Last Accessed 09 May 2013.Other* Jesuitical Centre for Faith and Justice 2012. The Irish Prison System Vision, Values, Reality. Dublin Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice. * Matt hews-Lynch, C. 2010. Are prisons a waste of money? Online BA, Dublin City University. Available http//carlymatthews.me/writings/college/2nd-year/cm261-crime-the-media/ Last Accessed 09 May 2013.