Irish Penal Reform Trust

International News

"Prison 'not a way to cut crime'" - BBC News

13th June 2005

The former head of New York's prison system is warning British policymakers that they do not need to jail more offenders in order to cut crime.

"Prison Smokescreen" by Tony Newman, Alternet.org

12th June 2005

California's new prison smoking ban won't prevent prisoners from lighting up -- but it will increase violence behind bars.

"Fighting AIDS Behind Bars" - New York Times Editorial

10th June 2005

The United States will never contain deadly diseases like AIDS and hepatitis C until it prevents them from spreading behind bars.

"Prison gets worse for women" by Michael Howie, The Scotsman

26th May 2005

The "miserable" condition of inmates at Scotland's only women's jail deteriorated even further in the past year, Scotland's chief inspector of prisons has found.

"Charity pleads for tolerance as autistic youngsters face Asbos" by Martin Bright, The Observer

22nd May 2005

Children with autism and other serious psychological conditions are being targetted by the government's controversial anti-social behaviour orders (Asbos), according to mental health charities and professionals.

"Electronic tags fail to prevent offenders from dodging curfews" by Robert Verkaik, Independent (UK)

25th April 2005

Electronic tagging is failing to cut crime, ministers will be warned today in a report that also exposes dangerous breaches of what has become a central part of the Government's criminal justice programme.

"Electronically Monitored Curfew Orders: Time for a Review - A Briefing From Napo, The Probation Union" by Harry Fletcher

25th April 2005

Napo calls for the scrapping of the electronically monitored curfew order, which it argues is extraordinarily expensive and ineffective.

"Prison drug tests 'failing to have impact'" by Michael Howie, The Scotsman

22nd April 2005

Scottish prison chiefs are to scrap the compulsory drug testing of inmates after admitting it had failed to tackle rising heroin abuse behind bars.

"Jamieson urges action to cut number of women in jail" by Edward Black, The Scotsman

14th April 2005

The growing number of women in Scottish prisons must be tackled by passing more non-custodial sentences, Cathy Jamieson, the justice minister, told MSPs yesterday.

"Inmate takes legal action over lack of needle exchange" by Eric Allison, The Guardian

13th April 2005

A prisoner who claims that the refusal of the prison service to introduce a needle exchange policy represents a real and immediate risk to his life has started legal proceedings against the home secretary.

Our work is supported by

Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.

Subscribe

Legal

Contact us

This website uses cookies to provide a good browsing experience

Some are necessary to help our website work properly and can't be switched off, and some are optional. Click on "Choose cookies" below for more information on the cookies being used on this website. Please note that based on your settings, not all functions of the website may be available. You can manage your preferences by visiting “Cookie preferences" at the bottom of any page.

This website uses cookies to provide a good browsing experience

Some are necessary to help our website work properly and can't be switched off, and some are optional. Please choose the cookies to allow below. Please note that based on your settings, not all functions of the website may be available. You can manage your preferences by visiting “Cookie preferences" at the bottom of any page.

Your cookie preferences have been saved.