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.
thejournal.ie: Prisoners have a very basic human need for contact
9th July 2017
A recent amendment to prison rules looks at the “meaningful human contact” prisoners get when out of their cells.
Round-up: IPS Annual Report 2016
17th May 2017
Read IPRT's comments in the media on the release of the Irish Prison Service Annual Report 2016, and the reduction in prison committals.
Irish Independent: Inside a Women's Prison
14th May 2017
Article on imprisonment of women in Ireland by Cathal McMahon.
Round-Up: Closure of St. Patrick’s Institution & Ministerial Order ending the sentencing of children to adult prison in Ireland
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.
The Irish Times: Grim chapter in criminal justice ends as St Patrick’s closes
7th April 2017
On Friday 7th April 2017, Minister for Justice and Equality, Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald TD closed St. Patrick’s Institution.
thejournal.ie: Child offenders will no longer be detained in adult prisons
29th March 2017
On Tuesday 28th March 2017, Cabinet agreed to end the sentencing of children to adult prisons.
Round-up: Council of Europe 'SPACE I' Annual Penal Statistics in Europe for 2015
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.
The Irish Examiner: Numbers being jailed at lowest since 2008
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.
Round-up: Ireland's examination under the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)
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.
Drivetime: Mental Health Issues in Prison
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.
