2100 fewer people were sent to prison last year than in 2015 – a drop of 12 percent.

Conditions are also improving for the prison population who are 80 percent male, 20 percent female.

Business owners are also being urged to consider hiring ex-convicts, as it dramatically reduces their chance of re-offending.

Dept of Justice & Equality Social Enterprise Strategy being launched later this morning - 'A new way forward' @VGeiran @probation_irl https://t.co/SrvX6DNQwt

— Bridge Project (@BridgeDublin) May 15, 2017

Juliette Gash reports;