Reform of our prison system requires bold steps

With 62% of our former prisoners re-offending within three years of release it’s obvious that

IT’S almost comical now to think that Kilmainham Gaol — voted Ireland’s top landmark by Tripadvisor for the fourth year in a row — was once considered a dream disciplinary machine that could “grind rogues honest”.

All you had to do was put hardened criminals in at one end of this vast correctional cage, ensure they were separated, silenced and supervised at all times, then watch as they were “ground honest” to re-emerge upstanding citizens at the other end.