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.
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.
8th February 2012
This week, Ireland AM featured a discussion on the need to reduce the prisoner population of Ireland over time. There are currently over 4,500 people incarcerated in Ireland, at a cost of about €77,000 per prisoner per year.
23rd January 2012
Caroline O'Doherty reports that government failures to protect children’s health, welfare and rights are still rife according to the Children's Rights Alliance Report Card 2012.
20th January 2012
"We need a Plan B. We urge the Government to adopt emergency policy measures that can create jobs, generate sustainable growth, raise incomes and reduce poverty. This is the only sustainable route to economic recovery and fiscal stability."
20th January 2012
Stephen Carroll and Carol Coulter report on IPRT's response to the Law Reform Commissions Consultation paper on mandatory sentencing for drug offences.
18th January 2012
A report published by the Inspector of Prisons has highlighted the inadequate conditions in Limerick prison and the need for change.
15th January 2012
"Nobody deserves St Patrick's as it's currently configured" - RTÉ's 'This Week' focuses on the ongoing imprisonment of boys in St Patrick's Institution.
7th January 2012
There were 262 committals of 16 and 17-year old boys to St Patrick's Institution in 2011, according to an article in 'The Irish Times'. This represents an increase of 19% on 2010.
23rd December 2011
IPRT's Liam Herrick spoke to Morning Ireland's Cathal MacCoille about the need for accountabilty and independent oversight of investigations into deaths in prison.
22nd December 2011
Crime Correspondent Cormac O'Keeffe reports that the death of a prisoner on suicide watch at Cloverhill Prison underlines the need for a prisons ombudsman, according to the Irish Penal Reform Trust.
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.