Parole reform needed: The scales of justice are out of kilter

There is one area of Irish law that does attempt to answer the question about the role of justice after a prisoner is freed to rejoin society.

Justice, the ancient Greeks taught us, is blind. It is to be administered in courts impartially and objectively.

But does that mean the consequences of a crime for victims and their family and friends — and for public safety generally — count for naught when a trial is over and an offender has served his or her time or is looking forward to parole?