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.
Progress in ending detention of children in St. Patrick's Institution as final 16 year old released, but uncertainty remains for 17 year olds
6th August 2012
Historic moment as the final 16 year old boy is released from St Patrick's Institution, but thirty-one 17 year old boys remain.
Reducing prisoner 'gratuity' is negative, miserly and punitive
31st July 2012
IPRT Board member, Dr Kevin Warner, outlines why reducing prisoner 'gratuity' is a complex and far-reaching issue.
The Irish Times: 'Punishment in Prison'
27th July 2012
IPRT Executive Director Liam Herrick questions the use of prison as punishment for 'white collar'and non-violent crimes, in response to Fintan O'Toole's Irish Times article 'Quinn's jail priveleges show touch of class'.
RTE Radio 1 Drivetime: The use of open prisons in Ireland
27th July 2012
IPRT's Liam Herrick featured in RTE Drivetime's feature on open prisons in Ireland. Following the committal of Sean Quinn Jnr to Mountjoy prison for civil contempt, and his subsequent transfer to the 'open'Training Unit, debate in relation to prison as punishment has emerged.
Irish Examiner: 'Number of people jailed over fines to reach record'
24th July 2012
Cormac O'Keeffe reports that there were 4,470 committals for non-payment of fines in the first six months of 2012.
Prisons are used as A & E trolleys for mentally ill, according to Clinical Director of Central Mental Hospital
19th July 2012
In the first of a two-part report by The Medical Times, Gary Culliton reveals the challenges facing severely mentally ill prisoners in Mountjoy.
The Irish Times: 'Inquiries to take place and reports published into all deaths in prison'
20th April 2012
A number of media channels report on the announcement by the Minister for Justice that the Inspector of Prisons is to carry out independent investigations into all deaths while in prison custody, including 'The Irish Times' and the 'Irish Independent'.
Irish Examiner: 'E-tagging ‘may not resolve’ prison crisis'
14th April 2012
In an article in the 'Irish Examiner', reporter Seán McCárthaigh outlines IPRT's response to prison service plans for electronic tagging.
RTÉ 1 Arena: 'The Old Triangle' at the Abbey Theatre
21st February 2012
On Sunday February 26th 2012, a host of Irish writers and musicians gathered at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin to celebrate the work of IPRT. Reporter Evelyn O'Rourke spoke to some of the artists in advance.
The Irish Times: Prison should be last resort for all categories of offender
13th February 2012
An opinion piece by Liam Herrick, IPRT Executive Director, outlines that crime is a social phenomenon, and policy must respond to that.
