Irish Penal Reform Trust

IPRT in the News

As part of the Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) Strategic Plan 2023-2026, one of our main goals is to campaign for a progressive criminal justice system that upholds human rights. Engagement with the media plays a large part in that as we discuss our evidence-based research, advocate for people in prison, and work to change attitudes and challenge misconceptions about people in the criminal justice system.

Below you will see a list of most of IPRT's media features including recordings of radio discussions, links to TV appearances, and access to written articles and opinion pieces. You can also listen back to long-form recorded discussions with podcast hosts on our Podcast webpage.

The Tonight Show, Virgin Media TV - Bail Re-Offending & Ireland’s Prison Overcrowding

11th March 2025

Irish Penal Reform Trust Executive Director Saoirse Brady appeared on the panel of The Tonight Show, on Virgin Media TV on 11 March 2025 discussing bail re-offending and Ireland’s prison overcrowding.

Irish Times: Overcrowded prisons and breaches of human rights

5th March 2025

On 5 March 2025, Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) Executive Director Saoirse Brady wrote in the Irish Times about the recently published Office of the Inspector of Prisons Annual Report 2023 that lays bare the sheer scale of human rights breaches and the lack of dignity faced by people in prison custody.

eolas: Enhancing Ireland’s criminal justice system

28th February 2025

IPRT responds to the Programme for Government with an opinion piece in eolas Magazine

The Mick Clifford Podcast, Irish Examiner: Is it time to find an alternative to prison? - Saoirse Brady

14th February 2025

On the latest episode of The Mick Clifford Podcast with the Irish Examiner, our Executive Director, Saoirse Brady, joins Mick Clifford to discuss the urgent need for alternatives to prison in Ireland.

The Detail: Care home shortages force scores of children to stay in juvenile detention

13th February 2025

In an article about child detention in Northern Ireland, which mentions other jurisdictions such as Scotland, Irish Penal Reform Trust Executive Director, Saoirse Brady, spoke to The Detail about child detention in the Republic of Ireland.

The Journal: Opinion: The next government needs to adopt a new approach to the criminal justice system

9th January 2025

In The Journal, Saoirse Brady of the Irish Penal Reform Trust says the new government should listen to the experts when it comes to creating a functioning, humane prison system in Ireland.

RTÉ Drivetime: Prison overcrowding and the Programme for Government

6th January 2025

Saoirse Brady spoke on RTÉ Radio One Drivetime. She discussed issues within the penal system in Ireland and solutions to address them, including the opportunity of the new Programme for Government.

Irish Daily Mail: More Community Service and less jail to cut costs

6th January 2025

Opting for community service over the use of short sentences would save money, benefit society and tackle overcrowding in prison, says IPRT

The Sunday Times: Number of pregnant women in Irish jails at a record high

29th December 2024

On 29 December 2024, journalist Julieanne Corr of The Sunday Times reported  on how overcrowding and staff shortages at Mountjoy lead to new mothers and babies spending much of the day in their cells,...

The Echo Chamber podcast: Imprisonment as a Last Resort

17th December 2024

Irish Penal Reform Trust Executive Director, Saoirse Brady, joined The Echo Chamber podcast host, Tony Groves, to discuss the prison system, restorative justice, community sanctions, ending secondary punishments and more.

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.