Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have a similar question for all three groups in respect of trying to ensure a national strategy on reducing recidivism and offering people structured release programmes, which seems to be the key. Focus Ireland emphasised housing as a key issue, which is also emphasised in the research and by the other groups that have appeared. The difficulty in accessing accommodation is a key factor in increasing the risk of recidivism on release. What is the best way to try to roll out a system to ensure a national strategy on this?

We have heard from the State authorities about the community return programme that is being piloted by the Probation Service and Prison Service. Would anyone like to comment on it or on the recommendation that Care After Prison made to us before, that there be a structured release and community return programme? A structured, national community return programme for medium and high risk offenders would reduce the incidence referred to by Focus Ireland of unplanned early release leading to people falling into homelessness.

Care After Prison also made the point that people sentenced for non-violent offences to terms of less than six months should really be diverted from the system entirely, given the high rates of recidivism, particularly with young people who have been given short sentences. There is a difficulty with having any structured programme in prison and post-release where the person is sentenced to six months but is out after two months. Should we look at structured community return for longer term sentences and diversion programmes instead of shorter sentences?