Irish Penal Reform Trust

International News

"The Punitiveness Report -- HARD HIT: The Growth in Imprisonment of Women, 1977-2004"

27th July 2006

A new report commissioned by the Institute on Women & Criminal Justice finds that female imprisonment in the U.S. has skyrocketed 757 percent since 1977.

"Ex-prisons chief launches broadside at 'gutless' Blair" by Ned Temko, Jamie Doward and Ali Beach, The Observer

16th July 2006

The former head of the Prison Service launched a withering attack yesterday on Tony Blair's record, accusing the government of lacking 'the guts' to admit that thousands of imprisoned children, mentally ill people and petty offenders did not belong behind bars.

"Women prisoner numbers up a third" by Michael Howie, The Scotsman

14th July 2006

Scottish ministers have failed to meet pledges to cut the number of women in prison according to new figures which reveal a one-third rise in the female jail population in the last five years.

"Ex-ministers warn of revolt over abolition of prisons inspectorate" by Alan Travis, The Guardian

8th July 2006

A battery of former cabinet ministers have accused the government of wanting to abolish the independent post of chief inspector of prisons simply to remove "a thorn in the ample flesh" of successive home secretaries.

"Prison population hits new record" by Alan Travis, The Guardian

30th June 2006

The prison population in England and Wales hit a record high yesterday of 77,865.

"Heroin: The solution?" by Jeremy Laurance, Health Editor, The Independent (UK)

2nd June 2006

The liberalisation of drug laws in Zurich has led to a massive fall in the number of new heroin users, according to a study published yesterday. Now Britain, which has the highest number of drug deaths in Europe, is being urged to follow suit.

Press Release: "New poll finds 62% of Canadians don't share the Harper government's approach to crime reduction"

11th May 2006

A new poll commissioned by the National Union of Public and General Employees indicates that the Conservative government's "get tough" policies are out of sync with the views of a strong majority of Canadians.

"The real crime's the Tories' take on sentencing" by Jeffry Simpson, Globe and Mail

5th May 2006

The international evidence is overwhelming against expanding mandatory minimum sentences. Numerous studies confirm it. And yet, against this conclusive evidence, Canada's Conservative government proposes to ramp up their use.

Press release from the Ontario Government: "Central North Correctional Centre Transferring To Public Sector Operation: Private Jail Operation Contract Not Renewed"

27th April 2006

Private prison in Ontario transferred to public operation after "no appreciable benefit" found after five years.

Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drug Offences: Why Everyone Loses -- Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network

20th April 2006

Detailed evidence-based examination of the failed record of mandatory minimum sentences for drug offences.

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