21st May 2010
The Irish Penal Reform Trust will launch its latest report, “It’s like stepping on a landmine…” - Reintegration of Prisoners in Ireland, on Tuesday 25th May, 2010. The report assesses the current provision of reintegration services and support for prisoners before and after their release from prison, identifies a number of key systemic failures, and makes 14 clear recommendations for necessary improvements.
Statistical analysis indicates that, at present, 60% of those with prison experience will return to prison at some point. This, coupled with a prison population that has risen by 65% in the last 12 years – and which is set to reach 5,000 by the end of 2010 – spells disaster in terms of future social and economic cost to Irish society. The positive story is that there is also strong evidence that rehabilitation and support for prisoners leaving prison can and does work. This timely report spells out clearly the actions that must be taken to break the cycle of reoffending, thus making society safer for all.
“It’s like stepping on a landmine…” - Reintegration of Prisoners in Irelandwill be launched at 11am on Tuesday 25th May, 2010 at the MACRO Community Centre, 1 Green Street, Dublin 1. Speakers at the event will include:
Given the impact of high recidivism rates on chronically overcrowded prisons, not to mention wider public criticisms of the ‘revolving door’ syndrome, IPRT believes that the better resourcing and co-ordination of rehabilitation supports and services, and better cooperation between agencies, has never been more urgent.
For further information on the event please click here.
For all media enquiries, or to arrange an interview with any of the speakers, please contact:
Fíona Ní Chinnéide, Campaigns & Communications Officer, Irish Penal Reform Trust
T: + 353 1 874 1400 M: +353 87 135 4107 E: communications@iprt.ieW: www.iprt.ie
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
“It’s like stepping on a landmine…” - Reintegration of
Prisoners in IrelandIrish Penal Reform
Trust (May 2010)
ISBN: 978-0-9535531-9-8
“It’s like stepping on a landmine…” - Reintegration of Prisoners in Irelandassesses the current provision of reintegration services and support for prisoners before and after their release from prison, identifies key systemic failures in, and makes 14 clear recommendations for necessary improvements. The title - “It’s like stepping on a landmine…” - is one former offender’s description of the experience of leaving prison.
For more information on the report, please see: www.iprt.ie
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PACE | http://www.paceorganisation.ie
Established in 1969, PACE is a community based voluntary agency that works with people with an offending background who have experienced periods of imprisonment. The ultimate aim of the PACE projects is to provide an opportunity for people to turn their lives around and to break the cycle of offending and re-offending. PACE works in partnership with The Probation Service, FAS, CDVEC and Dublin City Council.
Business in the Community Ireland |www.bitc.ie
Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI) is a non-profit organisation specialising in advice and guidance to leading companies in Ireland on Corporate Responsibility and Corporate Community Involvement. BITCI works with hundreds of companies nationwide through its innovative social inclusion programmes, including The Linkage Programme, Ready for Work, EPIC, The Mentoring Service and The Prisons Project targeting social inclusion.
NIACRO | http://www.niacro.co.uk
Established in 1968, NIACRO (Northern Ireland Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders) has as its mission to “work to reduce crime and its impact on people and communities.” It does this through providing a range of relevant services, working in partnership with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, the Social Security Agency, the Department of Employment and Learning and the health and social care agencies, among others. NIACRO works with service users in their own environments, including prison, pooling skills and resources with other voluntary and statutory agencies.
Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) | www.iprt.ieIPRT is Ireland's leading non-governmental organisation campaigning for the rights of everyone in prison and the progressive reform of Irish penal policy, with prison as a last resort.
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.