David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Finally, I invite Mr. Carroll to respond. While our time has almost expired, I note he mentioned cultural attitudes and issues when he spoke previously. I take it he was referring to people in the Prison Service and the Department. However, am I correct that generally speaking in society, the feeling might be that prison is for punishment, that prisoners should be locked up and the key thrown away, that it cannot be hard enough and there should be hard labour, floggings and all that stuff? I believe Dr. McCullagh's comments also may have bordered on that subject. If I am wrong, he should correct me but I refer to that general attitude.