Ms Michelle Martyn:

Ms Ní Chinnéide and Deputy O'Brien have spoken about community-based sanctions. Next week Ireland will be examined by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women. We will highlight the following to the committee: the disproportionate number of female prison committals for non-violent offences; the fact recent media reports indicate that the highest percentage of female committals continue to be for fine defaults; the lack of gender specific alternatives to custody; the annual decline in the number of community service orders for women for the years 2012 to 2015, inclusive; and a recent psychology report compiled by Dr. Porporino that states 60% of the women on a community return programme had returned to prison. We believe women need a more specific focus because they are the most vulnerable in society. Many of the women come from a background where they have suffered childhood sexual abuse or have care histories. Men are more able to focus on their addictions but women have caring responsibilities or may be involved in abusive relationships. The IPRT would like to see more gender-specific programmes for women.

I want to highlight the lack of post-release supports for women. There is no open prison or open conditions for women. In 2014, a research report showed that women are 4.6 times more likely to be without accommodation when they leave prison.