Prisoners to have say in their time behind bars
Monday July 30 2007
PRISONERS are to be given a say in how they spend their time behind bars.
A radical new system for managing prisoners' sentences is being developed by the Irish Prison Service. And at its core is a prisoner-centred approach with staff and other agencies working with the offenders on devising a plan to meet the needs of each inmate.
The central aim of the scheme is to bring about a reduction in re-offending when the prisoners are released from jail.
Called integrated sentence management, it has become one of the key priorities for the Prison Service. It is already being piloted at Wheatfield and Arbour Hill prisons in Dublin and its rollout through the nation's jails will be funded by the National Development Plan.
A senior official said last night: "Integrated sentence management will put a new emphasis on prisoners taking greater personal responsibility for their own development. "It will begin from the minute the criminal enters the jail. After an initial assessment, specific goals will be set for the prisoner and reviews will be carried out to measure progress.
"These services," the official added, "will be focused on meeting the requirements of those in custody, they will be geared to tackle their particular offences and then provide support for them to establish crime-free lives on their release."
The scheme is also expected to help prison management develop modern rehabilitation facilities. According to Justice Minister Brian Lenihan, drawing up a personal management programme for offenders is fundamental to a 21st century prison system.
"We are working hard to provide a prison regime which will challenge the offender to look at his or her behaviour and at the same time help them leave jail, better equipped to reintegrate into their community in a positive way," the minister said.
Community groups will be consulted about helping the offender back into society.
- Tom Brady
