Irish Prison System Essay

In 2012, the average cost of imprison housement per captive in Ireland was 65, 404. The current prison population is 4, 306. Thats an estimated 282, 000,000 of the tax reachers funds spent on prisons in Ireland per annum.IntroductionThis Irish prison system consists of 15 different institutions. This is made up of el level(p) traditionalistic closed prisons, two open prisons, a training prison and a prison for young offenders. All of our prisons ar termed medium-low security, apart from Portlaoise prison a manful only prison and our countries only high security prison. The purpose of a prison is to retain those leg altogethery committed of a crime as penalty or whilst they await trial. The mission of the Irish prison service (as stated in their 2010 Annual Report) is to provide safe, secure and humane custody for people who are direct to prison.The Service is committed to managing custodial sentences in a elan which encourages and supports captives in their endeavouring to live law abiding and purposeful lives as valued members of society. This leaven will examine the capital which is currently spent on the Irish prison system and assess if the Irish prison system merits the money which it expends. Is 65,404 a reasonable amount to spend on the legal penalisation of one individual, and are the systems in place in force(p) in providing our prisoners with rehabilitation and social variety? Utilising these findings the discussion will attempt to offer option systems of punishment to imprisonment.Poor ConditionsThe European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading interposition or Punishment (CPT) carried out an examination of Irish prison conditions in January- February 2010. The report described degrading behaviour and un-hygienic conditions. An examination of Portlaoise prisons E-block sight inadequate and unacceptable sanitary facilities. The cells were small (6m) and about of them were dilapidated with broken windows a nd dirty walls.None of the cells had in-cell sanitation and, at night, if a prisoner had to defecate he was likely thereafter to wrap up the faeces in a parcel and sometimes throw it out of the window. A typical day for a prisoner is made up of 16 hours of lock up, those under severe confinement can endure 18 hours or more of organism restricted to their cell. In extreme cases some prisoners may non even get to spend one hour a day outside of their cell. The CPT think that 23-hour lock-up should only be considered as a temporary respite, whereas in the Irish prison system it has developed into a general measure.The Prisoners breedingWhilst research presents the inhumane conditions that exist in some of our prisons we also hear reports of recreationally facilities that some law abiding working class citizens do not even induce access too. In 2009 journalist with the make uping report, Cormac Looney states that a sum of almost 200,000 was spent on sports equipment for prisoner s in Ireland. He notes that Mountjoy Prison acquire 36,388 worth or sports, gym and recreational equipment, plot of land bunkos of the high-security Portlaoise prison which include former gang lord John Giligan received 28, 214 in sports equipment.Fiach Kelly of the Irish mugwump informed us in 2010 that members of the Irish prison service had signed an additional 200,000 contract to upgrade our prisons for the subsequent three years. Kelly quotes Fine Gaels thence spokesman on public disbursement, Brian Hayes. I fully accept the prisoners get proper gym facilities, he said. The question is why are they being kitted out formerly more at this cost. I find it quite extraordinary the IPS (Irish Prisoners Service) signed off on this lavish expenditure item. The IPS justified these expenses, claiming the equipment was of good value for the agreed price. An IPS vocalisation maintained that the provision of a gym would in the long run help prisoners to take control of other areas of their lives.Surely our prison systems main antecedency should be acting in accordance to their mission statement as stated in their three year st scoregic plan (2012-2015), adhering to the guidelines set for protect basic human rights and meeting the prescribed health and safety standards. Our Mission Providing safe and secure custody, dignity of care and rehabilitation to prisoners for safer communities.Our Vision A safer club through excellence in a prison service built on respect for human dignity.A Case Study Inside the delightLittle do Irishmen know the wretchedness of imprisonment.(John K. Casey, Fenian prisoner, Mountjoy Prison)Much no-holds-barred writings exist on the inside stories of Mountjoy prison. They reveal what life is really like as an inmate from desperation and depression, to bullying, beatings and the drugs network. The 2010 report by the CPT describes the ill-treatment of prisoners by cater members. An inmate of Mountjoy prison claims he was physically as saulted by a number of prison officersA prisoner at Mountjoy Prison assert that on 15 October 2009 he was physically assaulted in his cell by several prison officers, in the argument of which he claimed he was thrown on the floor and repeatedly stamped and hit on the federal agency, arms and head. He also alleged that he was punched in the ribs while being escorted down the stairs to the basement of B Block 9. The photographic evidence of the injuries contained in the medical record is consistent with repeated injury to the chest wall extensive bruising of the outer aspect of the left arm is not consistent with simply having been restrained.Former Governor of Mountjoy John Lonergan provides an insight into the prison. Even Lonergan maintains it was still a kip when he retired in June 2010. Paul Howards tell-all account of a prisoners life in Mountjoy unveil stark revelations of the terrible conditions Irelands criminals endure. Prisoners are limited to one shower a week and one change of underwear per week. We learn of the littlest things that bring joy to the inmates such as a radio-show by Father Michael Cleary and the effects that using a privilege like the use of the library have on prisoners.Problems with Irish PrisonsThe Irish Prison scheme leaves a lot to be desired, outlined below are two of the major problems the system faces.* OvercrowdingAn over-reliance of the Irish criminal system on imprisonment as a form of punishment is just one explanation except forward in an attempt to explain the vast number (4,306) of criminals sentenced to imprisonment. The number of individuals sent to prison for not paying fines has increased by 10.5%, resulting in an estimated 18 non-fine payers occupying prison cells on any one day.Findings of the CPT report over-crowding in all the major prisons. The report questions the progress of Mountjoys Thornton Hall complex which the Irish authorities had originally optimistically stated would be complete and ready for t enancy in 2010, this date has now been pushed back to 2015. Besides building new cells and providing additional sleeping arrangements our only option is to cut out the number of individuals admitted to our prisons. Tackling the crime rate is another problem so for now we should look at providing petty criminals with punishment other than imprisonment. The Irish Prison Services Annual Reports for 2002 and 2003, noting the expense of belongings an individual in prison stress that imprisonment must remain the sanction of last employ.* Staffing IssuesIn 2010 the Irish Examiner amongst other national publications alleged that Northern Irelands prisons had more staff than inmates. Particular reference was made to Maghaberry prison, a high security prison in Co. Antrim. Statistics presented showed that Northern Irelands 1,500 prisoner population was staffed by approximately 2,300 persons. A well-staffed prison is not sufficient if it cant recognise its inmates basic human rights and pro vide facilities which satisfy these. 282,000,000 worthy of ExpensesIf overcrowding is common, and basic sanitary facilities are not being provided then why is the Irish Prison System expending an overwhelming amount of capital? age the figures are high expenditure has actually de-creased in recent years, this is not due to a fall in the number of prisoners but more to do with the issue of overcrowding which reduces the cost of bed space. Again we need to look at those responsible for the management of staffing and finance. It seems the Irish Prison System, like much of the States governing bodies need a lesson in financial management. What is the Alternative?There is no question that prisons are an integral part of any functioning society, but in order to provide basic facilities for criminals who require such punishment we need to look at the crimes that may not require punishment of that extent. We need to look at alternative means of punishment for the likes of non-fine payers and similar offenders. The Evening Herald tells us that just less than 200 individuals were punished with prison sentences for not paying court fines linked to TV licenses in 2011. The article shows that 25 people a day are now being sent to prison for failing to pay court fines. There were 1, 680 women sent to prison in 2011 and 1, 300 of those were due to their failure to pay court ordered fines. An obvious alternative punishment for non-fine payers and similar offenders is community service, no real threat to society as a whole and humiliation and inconvenience would be effective punishment for such crimes.Community service could be in their local area so as to increase the humiliation therefore deter individuals from re-offending and encourage others to pay such charges. Another suggestion is the introduction of manual labour into the prison system. The Irish Prison System outlined the need for exercise for prisoners, instead of spending capital on the provision of state-of-the- art fitness and training equipment serious offenders could be forced to participate in tasks such as the cleaning, up-keep and refurbishing of prisons. While a prisoners intrinsic rights and health must always be foremost in decision making a reduction in some more lavish recreational facilities may reduce the number of re-offenders when they have extremely negative experiences in prison.The number of prisoners committed to prison more than once in 2010 stood at 3,421. In More Streetwise Stories from Irish Prisons editor and part-time prison teacher Neville Thompson suggests the provision of a back-up system for prisoners when they are released. He describes a touring theatre family which he hopes to set up What a Waste Productions. The company would engage in writing, music, acting, set design and production. This theme could reduce the number of re-offenders. With too much time to think and very little space in which to do it prisoners very often resort to writing or poetry, inv olvement in something positive which helps them discuss and come to terms with their experiences in prison may discourage prisoners from returning to crime.Thompson envisages the production company eventually becoming self-supporting but justifies initial government financial input in these terms It now costs 85,000 to keep a prisoner inside. God knows how many prisoners rob before they are caught again. However, we are looking to get 20,000 per prisoner for the projects we have in hand. At first instance, taking the projects we have in place it would cost us 200,000 to keep our project afloat for a year as opposed to 850,000 to keep them incarcerated.ConclusionWhile the idea that prisons are a complete waste of money is generally as result of ignorance the large amount of capital that the Irish Prison System expends is not justified when we look at the failure of Irish prisons to deliver basic facilities to inmates. We need to sentence those who need to be dealt with in such a way and look at an alternative means of punishment for those who dont require such punishment. Much media coverage tells us of the lavish lifestyles which inmates such as Sean Quinn lead. This glamourises prison life and needs to be tackled in order to promote a less-appealing system and make the Irish prison system what it should be a threat to discourage individuals from committing crimes. The suggestion that tackling media portrayal of life in prison would greatly reduce the number of offenders is highly idealistic but coupled with an effective program for criminals coming out of prison may at least reduce the number of re-offenders.ReferencesBooks* Carey, T. 2000. Mountjoy The Story of a Prison. Cork The Collins Press. * Howard, P.1996. The Joy. Dublin The OBrien Press.* Lonergan, J. 2010. The Governor. Dublin Penguin Ireland. * ODonnell, I. and OSullivan. E. 2001. Crime Control in Ireland The politics of Intolerance. Cork Cork University Press. * OMahony, P. 2000. Prison Policy in Ireland Criminal jurist versus Social Justice. Cork Cork University Press. * Thompson, N. 2007. More Streetwise Stories from Irish Prisons. Mullingar Killynon House Books Ltd. governing body Publications* Irish Prison Service 2012. Three Year Strategic formulate Online on tap(predicate) from http//www.drugsandalcohol.ie/17473/1/ips_three_year_strategic_plan.pdf Last Accessed 09 May 2013 * The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment 2010. Report to the Government of Ireland on the visit to Ireland carried out by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Online. Available from http//www.cpt.coe.int/documents/irl/2011-03-inf-eng.pdf Accessed 09 May 2013. * The Irish Prison Service 2010. Irish Prison Service Annual Report Online Available fromhttp//www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Irish_Prison_Service_2010_Annual_Report.pdf/Files/Irish_Prison_Service_2010_Annual_Report.pdf Acces sed 09 May 2013Newspaper Articles* Kelly, F. 2010. Prisons to spend 200,000 on lavish equipment for gyms. The Irish Independent Ireland Online, 13 October. Available from http//www.independent.ie/irish-news/prisons-to-spend-200000-on-lavish-equipment-for-gyms-26689415.html Accessed 09 May 2013. * Lavery, M. 2013. 121 women are sent to jail for failing to pay TV licence fines. The Evening Herald Ireland Online, 15 December. Available from http//www.herald.ie/news/121-women-are-sent-to-jail-for-failing-to-pay-tv-licence-fines-28963049.html Accessed 09 May 2013. * Looney, C. 2009. 200k for prison gyms as garda budget slashed. The Evening Herald Ireland Online, 05 March. Available from http//www.herald.ie/news/200k-for-prison-gyms-as-garda-budget-slashed-27903752.html Accessed 09 May 2013. * OKeefe, C. 2013. Prison bosses pulsation to kick football spend to touch. The Irish Examiner Ireland Online, 10 January. Available from http//www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/prison-bosses-urged-to-ki ck-football-spend-to-touch-219146.html Accessed 09 May 2013. * The Irish Examiner, 2010. Norths prisons ineffective despite having more staff than prisoners. 14 December. Available from http//www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/norths-prisons-ineffective-despite-having-more-staff-than-prisoners-485592.html Accessed 09 May 2013.Websites* The Irish Penal Reform Trust 2013. Facts and figures Online. Available from http//www.iprt.ie/ Last Accessed 09 May 2013. * The Irish Prison Service 2013. Prisons Online Available from http//www.irishprisons.ie/index.php/joomlaorg Last Accessed 09 May 2013. other* Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice 2012. The Irish Prison System Vision, Values, Reality. Dublin Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice. * Matthews-Lynch, C. 2010. Are prisons a waste of money? Online BA, Dublin City University. Available http//carlymatthews.me/writings/college/2nd-year/cm261-crime-the-media/ Last Accessed 09 May 2013.