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.
14th May 2017
Article on imprisonment of women in Ireland by Cathal McMahon.
10th April 2017
Read IPRT’s statements and comments on the closure of St. Patrick’s Institution & the Ministerial Order ending the sentencing of children to adult prison in Ireland.
7th April 2017
On Friday 7th April 2017, Minister for Justice and Equality, Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald TD closed St. Patrick’s Institution.
29th March 2017
On Tuesday 28th March 2017, Cabinet agreed to end the sentencing of children to adult prisons.
22nd March 2017
The Council of Europe have published their Report: SPACE I Annual Penal Statistics in Europe for 2015, containing a detailed breakdown of penological trends across Europe.
21st March 2017
An article in today's Irish Examiner by Cormac O'Keeffe on how the number of people being jailed has reached its lowest level since 2008.
15th February 2017
IPRT made a submission in advance of CEDAW on issues facing women in the Irish criminal justice system, including: too many women are sent to prison for non-violent offences (including the non-payment of fines), the failure to provide gender-specific alternatives to prison, and the lack of open prison facilities for women.
3rd February 2017
IPRT’s Acting Executive Director Fíona Ní Chinnéide spoke to Mary Wilson on RTE Radio One’s Drivetime, on the topic of mental health in prisons.
2nd February 2017
IPRT’s Acting Executive Director Fíona Ní Chinnéide spoke to Pat Kenny on the topic of spent convictions.
1st February 2017
Recently released Irish Prison Service (IPS) figures show that the number of prisoners on 22/23 hour lock-up in Mountjoy has jumped eightfold, from six last October to 47 last month.
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.