Ms Bernie Grogan:

While levels of discrimination and inequality experienced by ex-offenders and their family members differ, they are a significant problem. The types of offences for which a person has been convicted may limit his or her options for social housing, particularly if the conviction is for anti-social behaviour or sexual offences. While I do not have full information on discharge letters, I am aware that persons on temporary release are registered in the system as being on temporary release and should liaise with the prison in question. Again, however, the circumstances vary. Some prisoners may be released during the day and return to prison at night, as in the case of the training unit in Mountjoy Prison, while others are released from Monday to Friday and return to prison at weekends. The time a person on release will be available to work depends on the circumstances of his or her release.

We work closely with Beatrix Sheehan, the community welfare officer in the homeless persons unit. She is an amazing lady who is overworked and under-resourced. Long queues form when she visits Mountjoy Prison to meet prisoners prior to their release. Her work includes sorting out social welfare entitlements for prisoners by ensuring they do not leave prison without information, identification or letters. This allows community welfare officers to deal with their cases immediately.

The unfortunate reality is that a former prisoner's experience with local authorities will depend on the person he or she meets on the day. We try to provide non-judgmental support. We fill in forms with prisoners, direct them to the appropriate agencies and so forth. Sometimes this involves making a telephone call in their presence to ensure they know where they should go and avoid scenarios where they knock on doors and are turned away. This is a horrible but common experience. When a person is motivated to make changes it can be difficult when doors are repeatedly closed in his or her face and obstacles are continually placed in his or her way.