Seanad debates
Wednesday, 8 October 2003
Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Bill 2001: Second Stage.
Sometimes victims can become embittered, which is only human, and that consultation process does not have to be fully accepted by them, but the mere fact of consultation is recognition for the victims. In the past we have not done that and we should do more to put the victim centre stage. When we had discussions at the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights on the Nenagh project on restorative justice, it was interesting that the victim was a very important component of the process. It is good for the healing of the victim but it also helps to challenge the offender to come to terms with the nature and consequences of the offence. Often that is better than anything else done to rehabilitate a prisoner.
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