Address by the Minister for Justice and Equality, Ms. Frances Fitzgerald, T.D., at the launch of the 2013 Annual Report of the Parole Board Wednesday 10th September, 2014Thank you Chairman for giving us that overview of the significant work of
the Parole Board during 2013.
This is the first year we have held such a launch of the Annual Report and
I think it marks a fitting opportunity to acknowledge the important work
and contribution of the Parole Board in advising the Minister for Justice
and Equality on the future management of prisoners serving sentences of
imprisonment greater than eight years.
This contribution is very evident from the Board’s Annual Report for 2013
which highlights how the Board’s total caseload in 2013 was 329, resulting
in 95 recommendations.
Of course where parole is granted, this is temporary release, subject to
supervision in the community by the Probation Service. This is not
remission.
I note with interest that those who were granted supervised temporary
release during the time period 2005 to 2013 had already spent, on average,
18 years in prison before release.
The public may be surprised that this compares to an average of just over 7
½ years for releases dating from 1975 to 1984, just under 12 years for the
period dating from 1985 to 1994 and just under 14 years for the period
dating from 1995 to 2004.
So the length of time being spent in prison before parole is lengthening.
In all of this, I must say, that as Minister, it is welcoming to know that
the recommendations on sentence management and early release which land on
my desk have been subject to such careful process and consideration by an
independent mechanism; and I thank all the members of the Parole Board for
your efforts.
I have read with interest the detailed foreword from your distinguished
Chairman and I note that the Board and the Secretariat have worked very
hard to ensure reviews of prisoners are heard promptly and to encourage
greater participation by prisoners in the Parole process.
I welcome the Board’s initiative in making a number of presentations
throughout the year to groups of prisoners in 4 prisons to explain the
parole process.
Reform
The launch of this report is timely. As Minister for Justice, I have
committed to a programme of comprehensive reform in the administration of
Justice in this state.
This includes reform in policing, such as establishing a new Independent
Policing Authority, with legislation to be introduced in the Dáil shortly.
This includes reform in the courts, such as establishing a new Court of
Appeal.
And this must include reform in the areas of prisons, sentencing and penal
policy generally.
But I am not interested in reform for the sake of reform.
Reform is about making a real difference… about improving outcomes.
Of course, when it comes to discussing ‘outcomes’ in the context of penal
policy, many questions emerge.
There are big questions; such as: how do we deliver on the societal need
for punishment to be served, while at the same time seeking to reduce
crime, through reducing reoffending and rates of recidivism?
There are more specific questions:
· When is a prison sentence warranted?
· When has a prisoner served long enough?
This last question is one which the Parole Board has particular expertise
in addressing.
But many other questions are up for debate; and this is debate I look
forward to fostering as we progress down the road of reform.
Penal Policy Review
As many of you will know that, in line with a recommendation of the
Thornton Hall Review Group, the Penal Policy Review Group was established
in September 2012 and was tasked with carrying out an all encompassing
strategic review of penal policy. This review has involved wide-ranging
consultation and will have implications for the future direction and
implementation of penal policy in Ireland.
Next week I will publish its report and I look forward to both debating its
findings and recommendations and moving on to implement important reforms.
I particularity look forward to bring proposals to Government on
strengthening (and legislating for) the position and role of the Parole
Board, which I will do in the near future, on foot of the recommendations
of the Penal Policy Review
Research
In considering reforms and developments… in any area of policy… I believe
we must take a pro-active approach in understanding and being informed by
the most up-to-date and incisive research data and analysis available.
This was an approach I promoted in my previous role as Minister for
Children & Youth Affairs, where I particularly championed the ‘Growing Up
in Ireland’ longitudinal study.
The same applies when it comes to penal policy. I welcome the work by the
Irish Prison Service, Probation Service and CSO to compile and provide
better statistics on the prison population.
Similarly I commend the Parole Board on your approach in seeking to include
three year statistics for period 2011 to 2013 in the Annual Report we are
launching here today - the first time that such data has been provided by
the Parole Board.
Alcohol & Drugs
In reading the Annual Report, I was taken by one set of statistics in
particular which highlight how drink and drugs played a part in offences
committed in over half of the cases reviewed by the Parole Board from 2011
to 2013.
This is yet further evidence, if any was ever needed, of the devastating
impact of the misuse and abuse of alcohol and drugs.
Too many lives, too many opportunities are broken by addiction and
resultant high-risk behaviour.
As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs I saw harsh reality of the
influence of alcohol and drugs in child abuse cases and more of the
children neglect cases.
Now, as Minister for Justice, I am seeing similar trends all over again in
terms of the influence on alcohol and drugs on criminal offending.
Addressing the scourge of substance misuse is; and must remain, a priority
for the whole-of-Government and for a broad range of services ranging from
early intervention to family support. Nonetheless as Minister for Justice I
am determined to work with the Agencies under my remit to address the
issues involved.
In this regard, I am concerned by the findings of today’s Annual Report
which refer to difficulties experienced by some prisoners in accessing
therapeutic services and having no therapeutic work undertaken before their
first review.
I know
improvements are being made to deal with these issues and the Irish
Prison Service will have my full support in implementing and introducing
improvements and changes.
Conference
I wish to commend the Parole Board on their Inaugural Conference held in
October, 2013 which was a great success. The theme of the conference was
‘Parole in Ireland – The Way Forward’. International speakers from Canada,
Finland, Scotland and Northern Ireland informed the conference of how
parole operates in their jurisdictions.
Victims
The discussions at the conference focussed on several aspects of the parole
process, including the role of victims and the extent to which they should
be involved in the process.
I note that an important consideration for the Parole Board is the
involvement of victims in the review process. Victims can make a written
submission to the Board in advance of a review. The Board members will take
into consideration the views of victims and the impact on their lives prior
to making a recommendation to me.
I wish to say the issue of victim representation on the Parole Board is
one which I intend to explore in the context of bringing proposals to
Government on strengthening (and legislating for) the position and role of
the Parole Board,
In addition, I wish also to affirm my absolute commitment to strengthening
supports for victims of crime. Central to this, I am determined to see the
EU Directive on Victim Rights implemented in Ireland in 2015.
Prison Developments
I wish to refer to a number of other developments in the prisons area.
Central to helping offenders to reform is the need to provide modern and
humane prison conditions that contribute to such rehabilitation. In that
regard, a 40 month capital programme is being implemented by the Irish
Prison Service to eliminate slopping out and to improve prison conditions
in the older part of the prison estate. Work is continuing on the
modernisation project at Mountjoy prison. "D" Wing is the last wing
requiring refurbishment and work commenced on this in May of this year. As
a result slopping out has ended in Mountjoy Prison and once the
refurbishment project is completed all cells in the prison will have
in-cell sanitation.
I am pleased to say that construction of a new prison in Cork began in
January of this year with a completion date of the third quarter of 2015.
The refurbishment project in Mountjoy and the construction of the new
prison in Cork are testament to this Government delivering on its
commitment in the Programme for Government to the modernisation of the
prison estate, the elimination of slopping out and improving prison
conditions and accommodation generally to a point where the focus can now
be on the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders where possible back
into society and in to our communities. Prisoners are people - our people -
and we must do what we can to support them and make our communities safer.
Co-operation
The work of the Parole Board is very much dependant on the support and
active co-operation of a number of agencies in the criminal justice area
who give of their collective expertise to inform the Board and contribute
to the range of information that can impact on the Board’s recommendations.
Like the Chairman, I would like to acknowledge that work and take this
opportunity to thank the Irish Prison Service, local prison management, the
Probation and Psychology Services, An Garda Síochána and the many other
services involved with prisoners for the support given to the Parole Board
and my Department on a daily basis. This support is crucial to the smooth
running of the business of the Board.
Conclusion
I want to finish by again thanking the Board, its Chairman Mr. John
Costello, members, and the staff of the Board for the important
contribution you make in your work and to wish you well in the coming year.
Thank you.