Foreign nationals get one-third higher prison terms on average than Irish-born criminals

The report found that foreign nationals are overrepresented in Irish Prisons

Among specific challenges identified by foreign national or ethnic minority prisoners are isolation, experiences of prejudice and discrimination, access to services and lack of respect for different religious backgrounds. File photo

The average prison sentence handed down to foreign nationals for certain crimes is up to a third higher than the terms of imprisonment given to Irish-born offenders, according to new research. 

A statistical analysis of sentencing over a 12-month period found that Irish-born defendants convicted of drug offences received an average of 23.1 months while foreign-born nationals convicted of the same category of offence were sentenced to an average of 32 months.