A chara, – The Irish Penal Reform Trust would like to see more community orders for those convicted of crimes rather than short prison terms (News, February 7th).
While community orders may well suit first-time offenders who may not reoffend or are unlikely to reoffend, the vast majority before the courts that are sent to our prisons are recidivists who have been given many chances to reform but don’t and won’t. I would like the Irish Penal Reform Trust to tell me and many others in this State how this feather-duster approach will protect us from those who commit crimes on a regular basis. It’s another excuse for those who repeatedly commit crimes, and who get the benefit of free legal aid, and are guaranteed that their rights are not infringed, unlike their victims, to have the easy option that is community orders. – Yours, etc,
CHRISTY GALLIGAN,
Letterkenny,
Co Donegal.