Sir, - It is a great relief to learn that the crime rate fell so sharply last year (The Irish Times, January 22nd). This follows a more modest reduction in 1996.
In the context of a declining level of crime, the Government's commitment to a massive prison building programme is baffling. The Minister for Justice has promised to provide an additional 2,000 places within the next two years and a further 1,000 over the lifetime of the present Government. At a stroke this will more than double the prison population and put enormous demands on the public purse. This a savage policy that will do little to reduce crime and a great deal to coarsen public attitudes.
Politicians are afraid to appear "soft" on crime, and there is a shocking level of complacency - even cynicism - surrounding the introduction of measures that may be expedient in the short term, although clearly not in the national interest. However, locking up more offenders is not being "tough" on crime.
A tough response would involve making offenders take responsibility for the harm they have caused in a way that satisfies the demands of the victim and the wider community. The emphasis should be on repairing the damage caused by crime and reducing the likelihood of repeat offending. This is the best route to a safer society. We can only hope that among our political leaders there are some who will have the courage and the vision to move in this direction. -Yours, etc.,
(Dr) Ian O'Donnell,
Director, Irish Penal Reform Trust. Merchants Quay, Dublin 8.