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The huge expansion of the number of prison places, the recent decision to appoint a Prisons Authority, the constantly expanding number of prisoners with all the attendant costs, have taken place without serious consideration of the broader issues. Does prison work? What is the international experience? Is the vast amount of money well spent? This book examines the history of prison policy in Ireland, examining in particular the gap bewteen officially stated policy and the actual situation. As well as describing in detail how the Irish prison system works, it compares the Irish model of the use of prison with the international experience. It also looks at possible alternatives to present policy.