IPRT believes that responsibility for the provision of healthcare should be transferred from the IPS to the HSE. In addition to this, IPRT believes that those with mental illness should be diverted away from the criminal justice system and should be treated within a community setting, where possible.
This section includes posts on health in prison, including mental health and drug policy.
5th September 2016
The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman of England and Wales, Nigel Newcomen, launched his latest 'Learning Lessons Bulletin'offering a host of recommendations regarding dealing with prisoners suffering from dementia
23rd June 2016
IPRT launched a new report on ‘Improving Prison Conditions by Strengthening the Monitoring of HIV, HCV, TB and Harm Reduction in Ireland’ on Thursday 23rd June 2016 in the Wood Quay Venue, Dublin 8.
3rd March 2016
The emotional costs of a prison suicide are profound, and can be devastating for all those involved. However, in this though-provoking research brief the Howard League for Penal Reform take a look at the likely economic impacts of a prison suicide and suggest that investing in suicide prevention in prisons, as well as being key to promoting mental well-being among prisoners, will likely produce significant economic benefits too.
10th February 2016
New Report and Monitoring Tool: HIV, HCV, TB and Harm Reduction in Prisons
27th March 2015
IPRT is currently inviting tenders for a research project on 'Improving Prison Conditions by Strengthening Infectious Disease Monitoring'.
10th April 2014
Today the NACSA released a study on the prevalence of drug use within Irish prisons. The study aimed to determine the need for drug treatment and harm reduction services in Irish prisons by estimating the prevalence of drug use, including intravenous drug use and blood-borne viruses, amongst the prisoner population.
18th October 2013
This Mental Health Foundation report explores the difficult challenge of dementia among older male prisoners.
17th September 2013
'The Irish Times' investigates how people with mental illness come into contact with the criminal justice system, tracing the cycle of criminalisation and undiagnosed mental health problems.
28th May 2013
A new sourcebook on Solitary Confinement aims to encourage policy makers and prison managers to limit the use of solitary confinement to a measure of last resort
3rd April 2013
Published on 7th March 2013 the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman report reviews the response of the Prison Service in England and Wales to a growing population of elderly prisoners.
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.