Irish Prison Service Strategic Plan 2016-2018
26th June 2016
The Irish Prison Service (IPS) has published its Strategic
Plan for 2016-2018. The plan focuses on four keys areas to achieve its
goals: ’Staff Support’, ‘Prisoner Support’, ‘Victim Support’, and ‘Enhancing
Organisation Capacity’:
- ‘Staff Support’ engages prison staff in the
development of the organisation and sets out to support them each step of the way. This
approach will be taken in line with the principles of fairness, equality, and
security.
- ‘Prisoner Support’ focuses on the rehabilitation
of prisoners in order to facilitate their future reintegration into their
communities. Effective medical support, in the form of psychology and treatment
for addiction, is envisaged. The plan also addresses the particular needs of
older prisoners, young offenders, the mentally ill, travellers and other
minority groups.
- ‘Victim Support’ sets out to ensure that the voices of victims
of crime will be heard. It incorporates the practice of restorative justice, which
has proved to be immensely effective in responding to the needs of victims, not
to mention the needs of offenders, in other jurisdictions.
- Finally, ‘Enhancing Organisation Capacity’ targets the systems, structures, cultures, and procedures within the prison system,
including the provision of essential services and supports to prisoners. To
this end, the IPS will continue its collaboration with the Health Service Executive.
Throughout
the plan, the IPS emphasises respect of the dignity of prisoners. In
addition, the plan urges the importance of maintaining the general
health of prisoners, engagement between them and their families, the
establishment of an independent complaints mechanism, adherence to
international human rights standards, and the professionalism of prison
staff. This focus aims to ensure a safe and an
effective rehabilitative environment for prisoners.
The report is available here.
