Seanad debates

Wednesday, 5 March 2003

Prison Visiting Committees: Motion.

 

I contacted some members of the prison visiting committee, some of whom live adjacent to the prison. These people are very enthusiastic about the work which goes on and what they would like to see happening in order to improve the lot of prisoners, particularly after care for prisoners. There is a perception that, because of a feeling of disorientation from society generally, prisoners will come under the bad influences of the past. As a consequence, they will find themselves becoming involved in crime and going back into prison. They are suggesting that accommodation be provided. One member of the prison visiting committee is actively trying to identify accommodation to be made available in their own county in order to rehabilitate prisoners for a period to allow them to integrate into an environment where there are certain supports. Very often when prisoners are released, their families are alienated from them and they cannot reintegrate into society through the family, which would be the ideal situation. Consequently, there is an onus on us to try to provide alternative ways of doing this.

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