Representations on behalf of Prisoners

In my opinion the story in today's newspapers that lists TDs and Senators that made representations on behalf of prisoners is a nothing story. It appears to me to be a lazy bit of emotive journalism based on a freedom of information request.

Why shouldn't TDs make representations on behalf of prisoners? That's how our system works and we shouldn't be saying that there is a part of our society that shouldn't be represented or doesn’t deserve representation. If you start that nonsense goodness knows where it could end.

Prisoners, by their actions, have lost their right to free movement. However, they still have rights, and in my opinion there is absolutely nothing wrong with a TD making a request to the Justice Minister on their behalf. Its then a matter for the Justice Minister to decide if he will act on the representation and if he does act that there is a sound basis to the action.

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Originally Posted by SMorgan

In my opinion the story in today's newspapers that lists TDs and Senators that made representations on behalf of prisoners is a nothing story. It appears to me to be a lazy bit of emotive journalism based on a freedom of information request.

Why shouldn't TDs make representations on behalf of prisoners? That's how our system works and we shouldn't be saying that there is a part of our society that shouldn't be represented or doesn’t deserve representation. If you start that nonsense goodness knows where it could end.

Prisoners, by their actions, have lost their right to free movement. However, they still have rights, and in my opinion there is absolutely nothing wrong with a TD making a request to the Justice Minister on their behalf. Its then a matter for the Justice Minister to decide if he will act on the representation and if he does act that there is a sound basis to the action.

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When are ya getting out? :p

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Originally Posted by gilberto_eire

When are ya getting out? :p

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looking for a new CEO?

I think it's wrong and should be outlawed. This type of representations are what has Irish politics knackered with thick dicks who are "good constituency workers". There should be systems in place for prisoners to make these requests, just the same that health services, social welfare etc should be based on need not on which TD is best at writing letters. Let them do what they should be doing - legislating.

Anyway, I guess we know why there wasn't outrage from other TD's at those cases that have got publicity like Killeen and Lynch - they were too busy thanking their lucky stars it wasn't them in the media storm.

Have mixed views on this - depends on the representation I suppose.

Some of the representations were just plain wrong.
* Asking for day release without checking the facts that prisoner smuggled drugs in on previous day release.
* Forwarding email from councillor asking for early release for murderers of Garda Gerry McCabe (some cheek).

On the other hand there were a few hard luck stories of transfers to assist family members which were allowed. I suppose in these cases prisoners should have an independent process to follow so politicians not required - I don't know if this exists.

Just like Kathleen Lynch the bad cases show that politicians will do anything for a vote & don't think of the consequences.

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Originally Posted by pete

* Forwarding email from councillor asking for early release for murderers of Garda Gerry McCabe (some cheek).

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If it was a shinner, hardly that much of a conflict?

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Originally Posted by pete

I suppose in these cases prisoners should have an independent process to follow so politicians not required - I don't know if this exists.

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If it doesn't, it should. It'd have to be independent though, not the usual government quango.

It would be nice to know what these people are getting out of these representations and i dont just mean votes

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Originally Posted by Macy

If it was a shinner, hardly that much of a conflict?

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SF are separate organisation to the IRA? :confused:

I believe the Councillor was a Shinner but TD was a FF in Kerry (not 1005 sure about Kerry).

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Originally Posted by pete

SF are separate organisation to the IRA? :confused:

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SF have called for their release, so if it was SF TD not really an issue. If it was a FF TD then a total conflict with FF policy. Surely should have the whip removed?

You mean you reckon its ok if an elected representative of a constituency makes a plea for leniency on behalf of a convicted paedophile rapist for consideration in sentencing for a crime against another of her constituents?

Is that you Kathleen Lynch?

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Originally Posted by Macy

SF have called for their release, so if it was SF TD not really an issue. If it was a FF TD then a total conflict with FF policy. Surely should have the whip removed?

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Irish Independent

FF Senator.

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Camillus Glynn - Re-elected to Seanad Éireann on the Administrative Panel July 2007. Fianna Fáil Assistant Whip in the Seanad. Spokesperson for Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

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Fianna Fail Senator Camillus Glynn claims his decision to pass on the request from Sinn Fein councillor Daithi Doolan was designed to obtain clarification from then Justice Minister Michael McDowell on the Government's position -- even though he knew it already.

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Prisoners are people too. I feel much more comfortable with a system where politicians take an active interest in what goes on behind the prison walls than I would if this work was all done behind closed doors.

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Originally Posted by Bald Student

Prisoners are people too. I feel much more comfortable with a system where politicians take an active interest in what goes on behind the prison walls than I would if this work was all done behind closed doors.

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They most definitely should have an interest in what goes on in prisons, however, that's not the same as making representations on behalf of individual prisoners.

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Originally Posted by GavinZac

You mean you reckon its ok if an elected representative of a constituency makes a plea for leniency on behalf of a convicted paedophile rapist for consideration in sentencing for a crime against another of her constituents?

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Well now we know why all the other politicians kept their heads down. Plenty of other examples eg Minister Tony Killeen

Depends on the case really. Have no problem with a politician taking an interest in the welfare of prisioners and writing recommendation letters something a guy doing 9 months, finishing in January, who wnats out to be with his family for Christmas. I will say that I would hope the politician in question would have actually reviewed the prisioners case and behaviour whilst in prison before making the plea.

For more serious cases, such as the situation Kathleen Lynch found herself in I think the politician should be made to make any such recommendation public before putting it to the courts. In the Lynch case I got the feeling that she was completely out of touch with the common view of the public and if she had recieved a battering in the press after announcing her plans to make such a plea she might have changed her mind and withdrawn from the process. Subsequently any politician considering such an act would be sure to do their homework on both the prisioner and the public appetitie for this sort of thing before putting themself in the public firing line

Would have no problem with this if all representations had to be public.

We've had our own miscarriaiges of justice over the years like other countries and will continue to do so, as no system will be perfect, so it is neccessesary but if public should be no issue.

I also think you would get a lot less frivious representations if they were public.