Historical Context of Penal Policy

This chapter explores the historical context of penal policy in Ireland, focusing on the evolution of policies and practices, particularly those concerning prison diversion. In the 1960s and 1970s, rehabilitative ideas gained traction, though rehabilitative practices were inconsistently applied. However, the 1980s marked a shift towards stricter penal policies, prioritising containment and punishment over rehabilitation in response to rising crime rates and security concerns. A lack of comprehensive data on women’s experiences call for a re-evaluation of existing approaches to better address the challenges and inequalities faced by women in Irish prisons.