Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am pleased that this debate is taking place. We can all see this is a time of extreme crimes, in the aftermath of which people have been left feeling outraged and with a sense of hopelessness, particularly when old people are on the receiving end. We must deal with this and other challenges at a time of diminishing financial resources. I have often found that many people do not want to engage in a debate on the rehabilitation of young offenders. That is an attitude of mind, much of which is understandable. However, we should not paint all those who commit crimes with the same brush, as many young people have been unfortunate to find themselves in such a position.

Crime does not affect any one class within the community but is spread across the board. It is only when one knows a person in one's own community who finds himself or herself in such a position that one begins to think about the human side. If detention is not about rehabilitation, we have lost the age-old wisdom in which we have always believed. I am thinking of the former prison governor, Mr. John Lonergan, whom we have heard make many speeches and give lectures, even since his retirement. He has always come across as a man of great humanity and compassion, but that does not mean that he did not do his job. He always believed there was a lot of goodness in every young person. He also believed - teachers will say the same - young people would know whether a person had a degree of respect for them through silent communication. I have often heard the phenomenon mentioned, even by people years out of school who would say, "I knew that teacher never liked me." That seems like a simplistic thing to say in the middle of a serious debate. However, all of the big policies and ideas generally do not achieve results and it often comes down to how one communicates with young people. I have always been impressed by the Garda Síochána in that regard. I have seen so many cases in which gardaí have gone out of their way to bridge the gap of suspicion, misunderstanding or a "them and us" attitude. However, we do not always see good results because today we are only talking about instances that were not as successful. Gardaí have a relationship with young people whereby they can give somebody a little warning and tell them to steer clear of a certain type of behaviour. This acts as a preventive measure, which is exceptionally important. Incidentally, we have made great progress in the provision of outlets in communities for young people to showcase their talents and energy. Unfortunately, however, there will always be some who will slip through the cracks and end up in trouble.

There are high profile cases which resulted in death because of some difficulty late at night. One can watch television programmes that broadcast such instances and I wonder how the environment was created. Likewise, the British police must deal with tribal behaviour. If young people must be placed in detention, we must contemplate segregation and I do not just mean just segregating young offenders from older ones. There are different types of young offender, some of whom have a background in extreme criminality. I am not saying, however, that they are beyond rehabilitation; I am saying there is a great danger that the person who is unfortunate to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and ends up in detention will become hyper contaminated in the prison environment if there is no segregation. The second aim should be to make the period of detention or confinement constructive, not just therapeutic, by providing an opportunity to participate in education or learn a trade. and they must see results at the end. It should not simply be a matter of serving time for the person detained. I do not know how many Members have noticed the following. When drama groups perform in prisons, talent is portrayed to the public. It is amazing how creative and enthusiastic inmates become. There may be exceptions, but the only way one will find out is by having a detention centre for young offenders who are not likely to reoffend.

An unfortunate person may be detained, but the real rehabilitation takes place outside prison. Let us consider what happens when a person leaves prison. He or she is left with an aura of being a prisoner. The news on the grapevine is that one will reoffend and it is for that simple reason doors will be closed, good company will be removed and so on. Rehabilitation must take three forms: it must be preventive, make sure there is a human side and help is provided during the time spent in prison, and that there is a follow-up programme when a young person leaves prison. If we provide for such rehabilitation, society will be better off. Let us always remember that a young offender has parents, grandparents and a family. I have outlined the reality in which they find will themselves.