Replacing prison sentences with drug treatment plans would cut crime and tackle addiction, a Fianna Fáil Senator has argued. 

Drug Treatment Courts have existed in Dublin for many decades; offenders are all non-violent and must have pleaded guilty in the District Court. 

They must also demonstrate a clear desire to remain drug free. 

On Newstalk Breakfast, Senator Mary Fitzpatrick described the court as a “very serious process”. 

“At the court, you have a judge, but you also have the probation services, you have the Gardaí,” she explained. 

“Critically, you have other social services though, as well; you have the education services and other social services.” 

Mountjoy Prison. Picture by: Collins Photos.

The Fianna Fáil Senator described the court as “not a solution to all crime”, but one with many merits. 

“But it's one that I believe works and should be rolled out nationally,” she continued. 

“We have prison overcrowding and [the Minister for Justice] is pursuing investment in our prisons, community service, electronic tagging and other initiatives. 

“I have raised with the Minister for Justice the proposal to have the Drug Treatment Court rolled out nationally. 

“Because at the moment, it's only offenders in Dublin who can avail of this process.” 

Senator Fitzpatrick added that prison is not an appropriate solution to drug addiction. 

“I was talking to a parent only last week who has an adult son who has been in prison because of exactly a crime like that,” she said. 

“But they committed the crime because they've got an addiction and they're trying to feed the addiction, putting them into prison.

“70% of our prison population identifies as having an addiction and six out of 10 coming out of prison reoffend within three years. 

“So, it's not working for people like that.”

Main image: A prisoner in handcuffs arriving at The Four Courts. Picture by: Leon Farrell Photocall Ireland