The latest CSO figures show a rise in re-offenders.
A former governor of a prison in Laois says a balanced approach is needed to reduce the number of re-offenders.
New figures from the CSO shows 84% of thefts, frauds, robberies and deception offences solved last year were committed by those with a criminal history.
Ciaran Reilly is now the manager of the Alternative Project in Athy, which supports those people to reduce those behaviours and make a positive contribution to their area.
He says initiatives like theirs are a start to tackling the problem:
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