Dr. Joe Garrihy:

I thank the Vice Chairman. I will not go down the philosophical route too much but if we look at the demographics and needs of people in prisons, including mental health, poverty, education, deprivation and so on, it begs the fundamental question as to whether we should be sending them to prison in the first place. That said, when we look at inspection, one thing that has not been mentioned so far in the meeting but is referenced in many submissions is that the expertise of people with lived experience of the criminal justice system is needed. That is a glaring omission in the current procedures.

Some of the issues raised by the Senator, which she summarised very well, are answered by OPCAT. Ratifying it and adhering to it will address many of the questions in respect of independence, resources, appointments and so on.