IPRT Open Forum 2010: Exploding Prisoner Numbers

28th June 2010

Exploding Prisoner Numbers - Causes, Effects and Solutions

In June 2009, the IPRT Public Forum spoke out against the current prison-building programme, bringing international experts to Dublin to address the question of whether penal expansionism or penal moderation will lead to a safer society for all.

In June 2010, we explored what is driving the continuing rise in prison numbers in Ireland, seeking to identify practical solutions. Following four key presentations, questions were taken from the floor, including contributions from: Senator Ivana Bacik; Paul Mackay, former member of the Mountjoy Prison Visiting Committee; John Clinton, Irish Prison Officers Association; and Tina Roche, Chief Executive of Business in the Community Ireland. 

The event took place on Monday 28th June, 2010 at the Morrison Hotel, Ormond Quay, Dublin 1.

Speakers:

• Chairperson: Judge Michael Reilly, Inspector of Prisons
• Current Trends in the Prison Population -Dr Mary Rogan, Irish Penal Reform Trust
• Overview of Sentencing Patterns - Tom O’Malley, NUI Galway and the Irish Sentencing Information System
• The Use of Supervised Community Sanctions - Vivian Geiran, Director of Operations, The Probation Service
• Crime Rates and Crime Detection - Louis Harkin, Assistant Commissioner, An Garda Síochána

Read more:

• Press release on the IPRT Open Forum
• Presentations from the event
• RTÉ's Morning Ireland report on the event

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