Mr. Fergal Black:

For many prisoners it is about making their time in custody constructive. As well as education, psychology and drug treatment something we have also focused on to stabilise people when they are in custody is the transition from custody to community after release. We now have a protocol with the Department of Social Protection. The day prisoners are released they receive a social welfare income. If prisoners have served a sentence of longer than six months they will receive a medical card on the day they are released to ensure their prescription for ongoing medication is not interrupted. These are very important protective factors that help people. We still have a difficulty with linking people to accommodation but it is no different than it is on the outside.

In collaboration with our partners and voluntary partners, we are trying to make the transition from custody to community safer and better.