Mayo TD wants 'serious conversation' on housing released prisoners in the county
A Mayo TD has called for 'a serious conversation' about housing prisoners at different locations across the county on their release.
Deputy Paul Lawless explained: "Over the past five years, more than 3,500 persons have been released from prison with no fixed abode.
"Many go straight into emergency accommodation, with no plan, no supports and no oversight.
"What is effectively happening in rural communities is that some local authorities are sending individuals into Mayo and placing them into the hands of private landlords without any professional support structures, risk assessment or rehabilitation pathways whatsoever.
"In this model, the only beneficiary is the landlord itself."
Deputy Lawless said he was reliably informed that one local authority is sending persons released from prison to landlords in Mayo.
"Worryingly, one of these landlords has plans to expand his enterprise into the county.
"Mayo should not be used as a dumping ground in relation to this.
"I have spoken to professionals, addiction counsellors, psychologists and many other specialists, and they have all agreed that you cannot place recently released offenders into privately run, profit-led facilities without any oversight.
"When you take a man who may have burgled a house and place him alongside a man who may have burgled a car, that is not a rehabilitation centre.
"You are effectively creating a school of crime. This is happening in Mayo towns. I
"It is causing devastating consequences for the individuals, where no rehabilitation is happening, for the community, who have to live with the effects of this, and for the gardaí, who are massively stretched and yet have to deal with such difficult circumstances as well.
"There is a better way. If you look at how Galway County Council operates its model, people who are released from prison go to a professionally run service with counselling and risk assessment protocols.
"It is effectively operating a step-down facility and COPE charity is managing that for the council.
"It protects individuals, promotes rehabilitation, protects communities, and, crucially, it protects the gardaí too. Instead of funnelling public money into the hands and pockets of landlords, we should be investing properly in rehabilitation and step-down facilities.
"The model is there and I am calling for an end to the failed experiment. It is causing devastating consequences in Mayo in particular. I want proper structures put in place.
"No one should be released from prison with no fixed abode and effectively shoved into a large accommodation centre with other people who have recently been released from prison. It is a dynamite combination and it must be ended."