Children and families coping with imprisonment are often described as the ‘hidden’ victims of the penal system because they must endure their own sentence, despite not having perpetrated any crime. There are a variety of ways in which children and families can be affected by imprisonment including: disruption to child care arrangements, relationship breakdowns, financial loss and stigmatisation.
IPRT works towards the recognition and support of the rights and needs of children and families affected by imprisonment through research, advocacy, and awareness-raising activities. This includes an exciting three-year project (commenced in mid-2020) on families of prisoners, aiming to reduce harm for children and families affected by imprisonment, with a particular focus on reducing female imprisonment. We’re very grateful to our funders, Katharine Howard Foundation and St Stephen’s Green Trust, for supporting such a timely piece of work. You can read more about the network of organisations working in the area set up under the project on actionforfamilies.ie.
Please note this section contains information about advocacy and developments, both national and international. Practical information for prisoners and their families is available here.
28th August 2024
Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) Executive Director Saoirse Brady hosts a Guest Editor segment on KCLRFM interviewing Damien Quinn (Speire Nua), Paula Kearney (Brio programme at The Saol Project), and Ryan O'Rourke (Journalist).
26th August 2024
IPRT is seeking to commission an expert researcher(s) to conduct mixed-methods research to explore the financial impact on families with children and associated implications where an immediate family member (parent or sibling) is imprisoned.
23rd August 2024
IPRT made a submission to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child on its draft General Comment No. 27 on children’s rights to access to justice and effective remedies. IPRT also contributed to the Children of Prisoners in Europe (COPE) joint submission to the same consultation.
25th July 2024
IPRT reflects on children’s responses to a survey by Children of Prisoners Europe (COPE) on how to make prison spaces more child-friendly for children visiting a parent.
17th June 2024
From Wednesday 12 June 2024 until Friday 14 June 2024, Irish Penal Reform Trust Children and Families Project Coordinator Ashling Tobin travelled to Berlin, Germany to attend the Children of Prisoners Europe (COPE) annual international conference. The conference was titled ‘Let’s Talk to One Another: a cross-sectoral approach for children with a parent in prison‘.
31st May 2024
Following the publications of the Children’s Rights Alliance’s Child Poverty Monitor 2024 and Barnardos’ Cost of Living Report 2024, we are now aware that 236,910 children in Ireland experience enforced deprivation, with 47 per cent of parents cutting back on essentials. IPRT reiterates its concerns for the children with a family member in prison and how this cohort is at risk of poverty or already impacted by poverty.
18th April 2024
Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) was delighted to be able to support hosting Corin Morgan-Armstrong to speak about his work at Invisible Walls (Wales) at an event titled 'Family Friendly Criminal Justice: Models and Opportunities for Child Centred Practice'.
31st January 2024
Together a Chance’ by CASCADE is an evaluation of a three-year pilot scheme that placed social workers in two women’s prisons in England. The pilot project intended to support and advocate for women whose children are involved with children’s social care in the originating local authority.
29th November 2023
The Journal's Noteworthy initiative reports on their investigation of prison visits.
21st November 2023
The launch of the Young Ireland National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2023-2028 includes children impacted by parental imprisonment.
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.