Prison Chaplains - Irish prison system is "dysfunctiona

[Wolverine]

RTE report

I wonder will Brian Lenihan show reports of this nature more interest than his predecessor?

He can't say it's just some liberal bleating. These are people who work every day in the system and deal with the reality of prison life.

[Aindriu]

Sounds about right. There are those for whom prison should be a short, sharp shock and there are also those for whom prison is an occupational hazard.

Persistant re-offenders should be screened psychologically to see if they can be rehabilitated. If not then impose a '3 strikes and you are out' regime. Gang men like Gilligan should never be released IMHO.

Mentally ill people have always been incarcerated in prisons and it has never been right. Without sufficient secure mental hospital places how are the public to be protected though?

[Wolverine]

Maybe by building more mental hospitals and/or treating them in a community setting.

Aside from the fact that mentally ill people don't deserve to be there, it takes up space for criminals who deserve prison.

[Aindriu]

Maybe by building more mental hospitals and/or treating them in a community setting.

Aside from the fact that mentally ill people don't deserve to be there, it takes up space for criminals who deserve prison.

I wholeheartedly agree. Pity the feckless politicians don't.

[The OD]

Maybe by building more mental hospitals and/or treating them in a community setting.

Aside from the fact that mentally ill people don't deserve to be there, it takes up space for criminals who deserve prison.

I wholeheartedly agree. Pity the feckless politicians don't.

I'd partially agree with that, although I think that care in the community will be used as a cost cutting tactic. I also think that the usual 'lump them all in together' practice has to stop. First time offenders should only serve their time with first time offenders and habitual prisoners with like.

However, if you think that it is going to change anytime soon you must be smoking something strong. God help anyone innocent who is wrongly banged up and not from the 'correct' social class.

[Odyessus]

RTE report

I wonder will Brian Lenihan show reports of this nature more interest than his predecessor?

He can't say it's just some liberal bleating. These are people who work every day in the system and deal with the reality of prison life.

Are you implying that the prison chaplains are not liberals on this subject?

[dravot]

Mentally ill people have always been incarcerated in prisons and it has never been right. Without sufficient secure mental hospital places how are the public to be protected though?

Unfortunately it's never that simple. Most of those in prison are 'mentally ill' to a greater or lesser degree but being so doesn't stop some of them being evil SOB's from whom society needs to be protected. Moreover mental illness evaluation appears to be a very hit and miss affair which the cunning can easily manipulate to their advantage - as in the John Gallagher case.

[Wolverine]

RTE report

I wonder will Brian Lenihan show reports of this nature more interest than his predecessor?

He can't say it's just some liberal bleating. These are people who work every day in the system and deal with the reality of prison life.

Are you implying that the prison chaplains are not liberals on this subject?

It doesn't matter whether they are, or aren't. Like the next line said, they work in the system and have an understanding of the issues.