Seanad debates

Wednesday, 8 October 2003

Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Bill 2001: Second Stage.

 

One issue is not mentioned in the Bill, although it is not excluded. That is the situation regarding "lifers", those on life sentences, which, as the Minister of State is well aware, run to about 12 to 14 years, a very long time in prison. I sometimes wonder how many of the Judiciary have visited prisons; many more have done so now than would have done years ago. The Minister of State is well aware that law students are now brought on visits to prisons. That is an innovation which perhaps was not there when the Minister of State was in college. It is a very worthwhile innovation in that law students will now know exactly where prisoners are going. I would not like to spend even one night in prison. It would be far too long for me. It is not nearly as soft a treatment as it looks.

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