The All-Party Oireachtas Group on Penal Reform was established in 2021 and builds upon the previous All-Party Group on Penal Reform: Briefing Seminar Series, hosted by Deputy Ivana Bacik (then Senator).
The Group aims to provide an opportunity for members of all parties, across the Dáil and Seanad, to discuss penal reform issues, engage directly with leading experts in the field and work together to create positive and lasting reform of the Irish penal system. It particularly hopes to draw upon the penal reform recommendations made by previous Justice Committees in 2013 and 2018, and build consensus for implementing their recommendations.
The Group is co-chaired by Deputy Ivana Bacik and Deputy Alan Farrell. The Irish Penal Reform Trust provides secretariat support for the Group, as well as expert advice.
Activities of the Group to date have included:
This page will be regularly updated with news of the Group’s activities.
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.