Irish Penal Reform Trust

International News

Ottowa Citizen: Canada's prisons not ready for inmate surge

8th September 2010

A Federal report shows that the Canadian prison system is ill-equipped to deal with an anticipated surge in inmates.

Guardian: So, prison's a party, is it?

5th September 2010

Sir Ian Blair is the former commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, writing here about Ken Clarke's proposals to change prison policy.

The Economist: Rough Justice in America

22nd July 2010

Never in the modern world have so many people been locked behind bars for so little.

NY and UK: Use of restraint in youth custody

19th July 2010

NY Times reports on a significant expansion of mental health services for youths in custody and new restrictions on the use of physical restraint, just as the Observer (UK) reports on shocking revelations about 'Physical Control in Care' manual used in private jails for young offenders.

England & Wales: New report urges greater use of restorative justice in reducing youth offending

15th July 2010

Restorative justice crucial to making a fresh start in tackling youth crime, according to a new report. ‘Time for a Fresh Start’ is the result of the first-ever independent inquiry into youth crime and antisocial behaviour.

England & Wales: Scrap prison building and increase non-custodial sanctions

21st June 2010

The Prison Governors Association, Napo (probation officers' union) and the Howard League have today called on the government to end its £4 billion prison building programme, and to instead increase the use of community sanctions.

Prisoner's Vote is a matter of Urgency

31st May 2010

The British Government faces European Courts over refusing voting rights of prisoners.

Guardian: Penal reform a key policy flashpoint for Lib-Con coalition

19th May 2010

Prison building versus reducing prisoner numbers - can the coalition negotiate a compromise on penal policy?

US Supreme Court Repeal Life Without Parole for Juveniles

17th May 2010

The US Supreme Court has repealed laws which enabled states to imprison children convicted of non-homicide offences without the possibility of parole.

England & Wales: Prison population hits record 85,000 after end of early release scheme

23rd April 2010

In an article in 'The Guardian', Alan Travis reports on soaring numbers in prisons in England & Wales; the article also reports that community sentences shown to have a lower re-offending rate than short prison sentences.

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