It’s claimed short-term prison sentences are contributing to high re-offending rates in Clare.
New figures have revealed that 63% of Clare people released from prison in 2023, committed another crime within a year, by far the highest rate nationwide.
According to the Central Statistics Office, 31 of the 49 Clare people released from prison in 2023 reoffended within a year, giving this county a re-offending rate of 63% and by far the highest nationwide.
The Irish Penal Reform Trust has attributed this to a number of issues , including the ongoing fallout from overcrowding in Irish prisons, which is resulting in more short-term sentences being handed down.
Last year alone, 77% of all sentences were fewer than 12 months.
It’s calling for greater funding for the Bail Supervision Scheme, which allows offenders to serve time outside the prison system with the aid of wrap around services.
Executive Director Saoirse Brady says employment, education and housing initiatives are essential to curb the problem.
Listen to the full interview here
A Clare Addiction Treatment Centre believes failures to tackle drug crime, poverty and social inequality are the biggest contributors to re-offending.
Facilitator of Bushypark’s Dual Diagnosis Group Michael Lacey says the broader issues enabling substance use need to be tackled.
Listen to the full interview here
