Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Chairman is absolutely correct. If one wants to look at the rehabilitation of offenders, one of the things one has to do is to plan his or exit and ensure the supports are in place when a prisoner is released. The initiative that was launched earlier this week was the Joint Agency Response to Crime, JARC, which brings the Probation Service and the Garda Síochána together. That is really important. One of the issues they want to address for prolific offenders who have served their sentences is to deal with the range of social issues that need to be place if there is any chance of rehabilitation on their release. Housing is clearly part of the solution. There are some good hostels available, voluntary housing and groups that are working and giving a significant number of voluntary hours to help in the rehabilitation of prisoners. Given the current challenges, it is not an easy issue to address but the Probation Service, in particular, co-ordinates the other service to try to ensure he or she is reintegrated into society. There is more pre-release planning than ever before. Everybody, including the Prison Service, recognises that recidivism and people returning to prison is not the answer.