Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 27 February 2013

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality

Penal Reform: Discussion with User Voice

2:10 pm

Mr. Mark Johnson:

However, this is dysfunctional. The real aim for society should be to invest in an outcome whereby when that person leaves prison, he or she becomes a contributor to society, whereas what we have is a very positive relationship that occurs behind four walls. The problems occur when those doors open and the person re-enters society. Then the reference point is: "Somebody cared for me while I was locked up." When I have no structure, my lifestyle is chaotic and I am on drugs, etc. outside, I will want to go back to this reference point where I know I had a healthy relationship. That is pretty dysfunctional and I do not believe it is where we need to go for the successful re-integration of offenders and to stop crime.