Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)

I agree with the Deputy. There are certain types of offenders who have been convicted and who require incarceration. The justice system has directed that they be incarcerated, and the Irish Prison Service does not have an option. It must take in people on whom the courts have imposed custodial sentences.

Since I became Minister, I have visited seven prisons.

I am extremely impressed at the work that goes on in prisons throughout the country. The Irish Prison Service does an excellent job, as does the Probation Service and other services that operate within our prison system. They are challenging visits. I always make sure I have an opportunity to speak to staff and the prisoners as well. A lot of good work is being done to prepare individuals for coming out of prison. Those individuals have already been judged by the justice system. It is not our job to judge them again; the system has judged them, but we want to try to ensure that as well as their penalty being served, they are prepared for release into the community. There is excellent work being done to ensure people are so prepared.

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