Sir, - There is a growing awareness that prison does not work. This is reflected in the demand by the Fine Gael leader, John Bruton, that some of the money earmarked for prison building be redirected towards educational initiatives in areas of disadvantage (The Irish Times, November 30th). We support this call wholeheartedly.
A recent study of crime in Blanchardstown revealed that one in 40 of the young men from this part of Dublin was currently in custody or had been incarcerated at some point last year. Interviews with these young people revealed a strong desire to break free from a life of offending. They spoke of education, drug treatment, accommodation and employment as the steps to a new life. To develop the community supports that would allow these young people to rebuild their lives would cost £7,000 per person per year. To jail them costs £46,000. It is unconscionable that such a situation has been allowed to develop during a time of great prosperity. A decision to call a halt to the prison building programme and to concentrate on crime prevention would be a wonderful legacy for future generations. - Yours etc., Dr Ian O'Donnell,
Irish Penal Reform Trust; Tony O' Riordan, SJ, Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice, Lower Dominick Street, Dublin 1.