The pains of parole for life sentence prisoners in Ireland: Risk, rehabilitation and re-entry

Abstract

The number of people serving life sentences in Irish prisons has increased substantially in recent years, such that one in nine sentenced prisoners is now serving a life sentence. Critical attention on the release of life sentence prisoners in Ireland has tended to focus on the political and informal nature of parole decision-making. Yet little is known about the experiences of those navigating the release process. This article begins to address the gap by offering a critical reflection on the parole process, focusing on the potential ‘pains’ experienced by life sentence prisoners when seeking parole. The analysis is organised into three themes that broadly fall under the umbrella of risk management: dealing with a serious criminal past, engaging with in-prison rehabilitation services, and reintegrating into society after release from custody. An analysis of this kind is timely given the growing concerns both nationally and internationally regarding the administration of life sentences and the appropriate mechanism of release.

Prisoners' understanding and experiences of parole

“…Griffin and Healy's (2019) study of life sentence prisoners in Ireland has identified the ‘pains' of the indeterminate sentence and the uncertainty that it brings for prisoners along with ‘palpable exasperation at the delays in the parole process and the perception that the system lacked transparency’ (p. 136). In a very small‐scale study the prisoners interviewed by Gadhia and Aslan (2018) reported feeling anxious prior to the hearing but subsequently found the parole process to be generally positive and believed that they had been listened to.…”

An exploration of ECtHR jurisprudence governing the administration of release processes for life and long-term sentence prisoners: Perspectives from the United Kingdom

“…92 Prolonged detention might be justified on legitimate penological grounds that prisoners would present a significant risk of reoffending and danger to society if conditionally released. 93 Individual risk assessments are essential in order to determine whether eligible prisoners are suitable for parole or whether they continue to pose a serious risk of harm to self or others. 94 The composition of national parole authorities must include sufficient expertise in law, psychiatry and related disciplines so as to possess the appropriate competencies ensuring that the decision-making process accords with the principles of legality and the rule of law.…”