A Sligo/Leitrim TD says now is the time for an extensive review of the Irish prison system.
Recent figures show a drop in the number of people being sent to prison.
Deputy Martin Kenny, Sinn Fein spokesperson on justice and equality, says this is a result of the backlog in the courts systems.
He says now is the time for an extensive review to be carried out into the prison system and in the process prevent many from becoming repeat offenders.
