News (Media Awareness Project) - Ireland: It Costs 46,000 To Hold Prisoner, But 2,000 Can Turn Him Around |
| Title: | Ireland: It Costs 46,000 To Hold Prisoner, But 2,000 Can Turn Him Around |
| Published On: | 1998-02-10 |
| Source: | Examiner, The (Ireland) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-09-07 15:47:33 |
IT COSTS £46,000 TO HOLD PRISONER, BUT £2,000 CAN TURN HIM AROUND
LOCKING up a criminal costs £46,000 a year and almost guarantees he will
reoffend, while supervised community service at £2,000 a year works wonders.
These are the findings of analysis carried out recently and used to support
a new Fine Gael policy on prison.
In what looks like a u-turn on their tough policy when in Government, Fine
Gael justice spokesperson Jim Higgins said prison was not the answer. Three
out of four prisoners offend again and it's hugely expensive.
"It's patently obvious that prison, both as a deterrent and form of
rehabilitation, is not working," said Mr Higgins. at the launch of his
party's "Alternatives to Prison," document, yesterday.
It calls for a fresh approach to the punishment and care of offenders and
questions both the effectiveness and value-for-money of expanding the
prison service.
Each prison space costs £110,000 to build and £46,000 a year to keep a
prisoner in jail. A 1997 analysis showed a 77% rate of repeat offending.
Instead, Fine Gael calls for a trebling of resources for an expanded
probation and welfare service. "The cost of keeping somebody on community
service under the supervision of the probation and welfare service is
£2,000 per annum, with an 80% chance of success," said Mr Higgins.
The party wants the introduction of a restorative justice scheme where the
offender will be confronted by the victims in an effort to ensure he
understands the consequences of his actions.
Greater use should be made of community service orders, according to the
party. Some 1 5 million hours of service have been completed to date and
over 80% of offenders have completed their hours without re-offending.
But prison has its place where no other penalty is appropriate, such as
offences against the person or property.
The outgoing Rainbow Government, with Nora Owen as Justice Minister,
approved the provision of 840 extra prison spaces, and Fine Gael believes
that figure may be sufficient. It strongly doubts the commitment of the
current Government to 2,000 extra spaces can be justified.
LOCKING up a criminal costs £46,000 a year and almost guarantees he will
reoffend, while supervised community service at £2,000 a year works wonders.
These are the findings of analysis carried out recently and used to support
a new Fine Gael policy on prison.
In what looks like a u-turn on their tough policy when in Government, Fine
Gael justice spokesperson Jim Higgins said prison was not the answer. Three
out of four prisoners offend again and it's hugely expensive.
"It's patently obvious that prison, both as a deterrent and form of
rehabilitation, is not working," said Mr Higgins. at the launch of his
party's "Alternatives to Prison," document, yesterday.
It calls for a fresh approach to the punishment and care of offenders and
questions both the effectiveness and value-for-money of expanding the
prison service.
Each prison space costs £110,000 to build and £46,000 a year to keep a
prisoner in jail. A 1997 analysis showed a 77% rate of repeat offending.
Instead, Fine Gael calls for a trebling of resources for an expanded
probation and welfare service. "The cost of keeping somebody on community
service under the supervision of the probation and welfare service is
£2,000 per annum, with an 80% chance of success," said Mr Higgins.
The party wants the introduction of a restorative justice scheme where the
offender will be confronted by the victims in an effort to ensure he
understands the consequences of his actions.
Greater use should be made of community service orders, according to the
party. Some 1 5 million hours of service have been completed to date and
over 80% of offenders have completed their hours without re-offending.
But prison has its place where no other penalty is appropriate, such as
offences against the person or property.
The outgoing Rainbow Government, with Nora Owen as Justice Minister,
approved the provision of 840 extra prison spaces, and Fine Gael believes
that figure may be sufficient. It strongly doubts the commitment of the
current Government to 2,000 extra spaces can be justified.
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