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.
Roundup: Coverage of IPRT lecture on Solitary Confinement
6th August 2013
Media coverage of issues and concerns around 23-hour lock up and restrictive regimes, brought into focus by the 2013 IPRT Annual Lecture.
Roundup: Reactions to announcement of closure of St. Patrick's Institution
4th July 2013
A roundup of press releases, media reactions and discussions following the announcement on 3rd July 2013 by the Minister for Justice that St Patrick's Institution is to be closed within 6 months.
RTÉ 'This Week': the movement of youth offenders to Oberstown
23rd June 2013
Ombudsman for Children Emily Logan, IMPACT Spokesperson Catherine Keogh, and Liam Herrick of the Irish Penal Reform Trust comment on the detention of young offenders at Oberstown.
Concern over cell-sharing and increased capacity at Cork Prison
14th June 2013
The 'Irish Examiner' and 'The Cork News' report on plans for the building of a replacement prison in Cork, which will see capacity increased through planned cell-sharing.
Roundup: Reactions to further delays in report regarding the killing of Gary Douch
6th June 2013
A roundup of media reactions and discussions following further delays in the publication of the report into the killing of Gary Douch in prison custody
Roundup: Reactions to the Annual Reports and Joint Strategic Plan of the Irish Prison Service and the Probation Service
24th May 2013
A roundup of media reactions and discussions following publication on the 8th May 2013 of the Irish Prison Service and Probation Service Annual Reports for 2012 and their Joint Strategic Plan for 2013-2015.
Irish Examiner: Ireland tops EU table for prisoner release
8th May 2013
A Council of Europe Penal Statistics Survey (SPACE I) of over 50 countries reveals Ireland to have one of the highest committal and release rates in Europe, reports Cormac O’Keeffe in the Irish Examiner.
Roundup: Reactions to Justice Committee Report on Penal Reform
28th March 2013
Media coverage of the 'Report on Penal Reform' published by the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality on 27th March 2013. IPRT welcomed the report, and called for Government action on all recommendations.
The Irish Times examines Ireland's prisons
21st January 2013
A series of articles on the problems and progress within Ireland's jails.
Increasing number of older prisoners raises questions over whether prisons are equipped to care for them.
9th January 2013
Since 2007 there has been a large increase in the number of older and elderly inmates in our prisons. However, is a prison system geared towards younger prisoners equipped to deal with their particular needs?
