The Labour Party has attacked Government prison policy following the release of a study that says over 70 per cent of all prisoners will reoffend on their release.
According to figures from the Blanchardstown Offenders for New Directions (BOND) project, the chance of reoffending is over 70 per cent.
The BOND Evaluation Report, which was compiled over the past three years, says that the high rate of recidivism is largely due to the lack of support services offered to people after their release from prison or other places of detention.
Labour's justice spokesman, Mr Joe Costello TD, said the figures show the current custodial system is failing.
"When people are sent to jail there must be a full rehabilitation programme put in place," he said. "While there is no argument there will always be crimes for which prison is appropriate, such as violent crimes, there is a case for looking at non-custodial sentences."
The average annual cost of keeping a person in prison is estimated at almost €85,000, which Mr Costello said "is not an effective use of taxpayers' money".
He called for increased investment in the Garda's Juvenile Liaison Programme, which he and the BOND project said was making "significant" progress. However, only 100 gardaí are working on the scheme.
Mr Costello called on the Government to act on its pre-election commitment to provide 2,000 extra gardaí.
The BOND project has been operating since 1997. It aims to provide support and opportunities for persistent young offenders on their release from the prison system, and offers help in dealing with drug problems.