Laws in relation to people convicted of drug trafficking and gun possession should be eased, according to a major review of penal policy.
The study said that presumptive minimum sentences for serious drug-dealing — 10 years — and firearms possession — between five and 10 years — should be reviewed by the Government.
And it said that a ban on these offenders from receiving temporary release from prison should be removed.
The Strategic Review of Penal Policy has also recommended that the monetary threshold above which the minimum sentence applies for serious drug dealing should be increased from its current value of €13,000.
It rejected recommendations from the State’s legal advisory body for the introduction of a range of minimum sentences for murder. The Law Reform Commission said the mandatory life sentence for murder was “misleading” as offenders are released after serving a certain period, subject to conditions.
The penal policy study has also proposed an enhanced form of remission, or early release, beyond the current automatic 25% up to one-third. This would be given to inmates who earned it from good behaviour to rehabilitation.
The 127-page report, which took almost two years to complete, was published yesterday by Frances Fitzgerald, the justice minister.
She said she has asked her officials to draw up proposals regarding the 43 recommendations which could be implemented over the short, medium and long term.
“It is clear that the group adopted a progressive and pragmatic approach,” she said. “As minister for justice, I believe our future penal policy must be focused on two key goals — punishment and prevention.”
Source: Cormac O'Keeffe, Irish Examiner, 18/09/14
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