Louth domestic abuse survivor reveals worries about the prison early release project
Almost 2000 prisoners were released early yesterday
A domestic abuse survivor from Louth has revealed concerns about the Government's early release initiative saying there's a need to have those with a history of abuse kept behind bars
Almost 2 thousand inmates were released under a government scheme yesterday to reduce overcrowding.
The government says it will help ease overcrowding and that those convicted of sex offences, domestic abuse and violent crimes would not be freed under this scheme.
The only time they feel genuinely protected is when the perpetrator is behind bars
Claire Chamberlain from Louth - is the founder of her own support service which helps women and men called Clear Path - and tells us there's a worry not all criminals with a history of domestic abuse will be exempt.
"I think for our service users and the women that have been through our services the only time they feel genuinely protected is when the perpetrator is behind bars."
"It's all good to say that violent offenders are going to be excluded from this new scheme but the current criminal justice pathways focus way too heavily on physical violence in terms of violent offenders anyway."
We've already heard of women who weren't told their offenders were on this list
"Our worry is that the threshold for safe and unsafe release are inaccurate as it is."
"A history of violence against people is still a history of violence against people and them being back on the streets earlier than intended isn't ever a good thing for their victims."
"Letting people out early is definitely something that's going to put people who've been subjected to abuse on edge - they're going to be worried."
"We've already heard of women who weren't told their offenders were on this list to be released and they've found out after they were released already."
"Even if it's a couple - that's one too many."