Labour fails crime victims with penal proposal

THE Labour Party Justice spokesperson Pat Rabbitte in proposing radical reform of Ireland’s penal system, has called for a new Sentencing Act for judges based on imprisonment as an option of last resort, an increase in resources for probation and welfare services, more use of day release for prisoners, and the provision of more open prisons, (Labour outlines detailed plans to overhaul penal system, The Irish Examiner, January 12).

Perhaps Pat Rabbitte might also make it a requirement for judges to explain in writing decisions to release some people on bail. As a citizen of this republic, I am outraged at the issuing of bail to those who clearly represent a danger to society. I believe in penal reform and prisoner rehabilitation, but I also believe in the right of citizens to feel safe on the streets and in their homes. Most of us can only look on in helpless bewilderment at the inadequate sentencing policies and bizarre bail laws which result in violent serial criminals remaining at liberty to terrorise society. Few would argue that penal reform is needed, but surely society’s primary sympathies are with victims and their families.

Why is it whenever Labour enters government, concern for the welfare of the perpetrators of crime shoots up the social justice barometer, while simultaneously, concern for the welfare of victims of crime seems to slide down?