Too many jail sentences being handed out by judges - Shatter

Speaking in Athlone today, Justice Minister Alan Shatter suggested that judges were handing out too many prison sentences in cases where community service should instead be used as a punishment. 

The Minister, who was addressing the Prison Officers Association annual conference in the Sheraton Hotel, pointed out that 88% of jail sentences handed down in 2012 were for one year or less.

'There is an obligation on the courts when considering sentencing to consider whether it may be more appropriate that individuals be dealt with under the Community Service Order Scheme, and it is disappointing that it's not being greater utilised,' he said.

'I hope it would be greater utilised in the future. The local community benefits from the making of Community Service Orders, the State benefits in the context of the reduction of costs within the prison service.' 

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