Cavan-Monaghan TD Matt Carthy has said the report published this week by the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) highlights the crisis in the Irish prison system.
He believes the report also highlights significant issues such as overcrowding, along with unsafe and lacked adequate access to mental healthcare.
The report shows a clear need to invest in community and youth diversion services, according to the local TD.
While he believes the findings of this report come as "no surprise," the Sinn Fein Justice Spokesperson, says re-offending rates are too high:
In a statement issued to Northern Sound, Deputy Carthy said: "Reducing reoffending rates, including for youth offenders, must be a key objective if we are to reduce the pressure on the prison system and reduce crime in society. There needs to a serious ramping up of investment in youth diversion, community policing, addiction services and other initiatives to prevent people getting dragged into a life of crime.
All of these failings need to be addressed. However, in the short term the Minister for Justice must urgently set out what he intends to do to address the overcrowding situation in Irish prisons and the concerns raised in the report published today by the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture."
