In other words, 61% of detected crime in 2024 was committed by people who had already been in contact with the criminal justice system. Do these figures suggest that the criminal justice system is failing in supporting people to move away from crime? There are many valuable insights written on the root causes of reoffending, the criminal justice system and chronic conditions in overcrowded Irish prisons. Given this, it is also worth mentioning some innovative responses to reoffending, a lot of which lie beyond the traditional criminal justice system. Social policy responseEmphasising a social policy response to crime can support those who are most vulnerable in society.

Source: Irish Examiner December 31, 2025 00:55 UTC