Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Photocall Ireland
Human Rights

Ireland told to stop sending people to prison for not paying fines

The UN also expressed concern over the continued practice of slopping out.

THE UN HAS expressed concern at the number of people going to prison for failure to pay fines.

In an eight page document released by the international body’s Human Rights Committee yesterday, it said an alternative method needs to be looked at.

This is despite the adoption of Enforcement of Court Orders (amendment) Act 2009 and Fines (payment and recovery) Act 2014 by the State.

The UN committee said: “The State party should fully implement the Fines (payment and recovery) Act 2014 to provide for a community service order as an alternative to imprisonment used as a method of enforcing contractual obligations.”

Welcoming the recommendations the Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) called on the Government to act on the committee’s recommendations “without delay”.

Deirdre Malone, executive director of the IPRT said: “The Committee is uncompromising in its statement that no one should be sent to prison for failure to pay fines or debts. The Fines Act 2014… must be fully implemented, and with urgency.

“In the meantime, Ireland continues to send thousands of people to prison every year for being unable to pay fines,” Malone said.

The committee also tells Ireland to ”step up its efforts” on improving living conditions for prisoners including addressing the practice of ‘slopping out’.

Currently over 300 prisoners are slopping out in prisons across Ireland.

It said improvements to living conditions, treatment of detainees, overcrowding and the practice of ‘slopping out’ should be looked at “as a matter of urgency” in line with the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.

In its observations the committee welcomed measures taken by the State to improve prison conditions and to increase the use of community sanctions as an alternative to imprisonment.

However, it criticised the lack of progress in eliminating “adverse conditions” in a number of prisons including overcrowding, lack of in-cell sanitation facilities and lack of segregation of remand and convicted prisoners.

In reaction to this, Malone of the IPRT said: “Over 300 prisoners are still slopping out in Ireland today, many in crowded cells, where they also eat their meals. It is inhumane and degrading, and it must end.”

UN tells Ireland to open an investigation into symphysiotomy

UN: Ireland must take action to decriminalise abortion

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Your Voice
Readers Comments
130
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds