Electronic tagging is set to be introduced for prisoners in Ireland before the end of the year, according to Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan, reports The Mirror.
This move will be implemented alongside a significant expansion of updated community service programmes, which aim to ease prison overcrowding.
Currently, the majority of prisons across Ireland are operating beyond capacity, with between 300 and 400 inmates sleeping on mattresses on cell floors.
He said: “I am committed to implementing electronic monitoring. Since becoming Minister for Justice I have demonstrated my commitment to progressing and implementing policies aimed at increasing the use of community service sanctions, reducing offending, diverting people away from the criminal justice system and providing effective rehabilitation,” reports The Mirror.
The Minister also intends to introduce new legislation to increase sentencing alternatives and lessen dependence on jail terms.
This plan features amendments to the Community Service Act 1983, designed to promote more frequent use of community service orders as a way of steering individuals away from incarceration and benefiting the community at large, reports The Mirror.
A dedicated steering group has been established to manage and advance the electronic monitoring initiative.
The group includes representatives from the Department of Justice, the Irish Prison Service, the Probation Service, and the Director of Public Prosecutions.
He stated: “Work is under way to prepare to operationalise electronic monitoring including consideration of the technology to be used. This work will inform the order in which the various legislative provisions should be commenced, having regard to the practical and operational considerations involved. An initial rollout of electronic monitoring is expected later this year following a procurement exercise to select a service provider. Work on the procurement is also being progressed with a Request for information due to issue to the market shortly which will inform the development of a Request for Tenders in the next few months,” reports The Mirror.
Minister O’Callaghan made these remarks in response to a series of parliamentary questions raised by Clare Fianna Fáil TD, Cathal Crowe.
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