Irish Penal Reform Trust

IPRT in the News

Irish Independent: Irish prisons on verge of overcrowding as number of inmates [in 2023] soars

7th June 2024

On 7 June 2024, Maeve McTaggart of the Irish Independent reports on the Council of Europe’s 2023 Annual Penal Statistics (SPACE I). Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) Executive Director, Saoirse Brady, responds to the statistics that highlight worrying overcrowding in prisons in Ireland.

Irish Times: Lack of open prison for women is an ‘equality issue’, says trust boss

6th June 2024

On 6 June 2024, Focus Ireland launched the evaluation of their Women’s Outlook Programme. Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) Executive Director, Saoirse Brady, spoke at the event. The event was covered by Irish Times journalist Kitty Holland - read the article on the Irish Times website.

Law Society Gazette: Delays on detention bill ‘unacceptable’

5th June 2024

Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) commented on the Council of Europe Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Degrading Treatment (CPT) visit, raising several serious concerns in prisons including overcrowding, accountability and mental health in prisons amongst other issues.

PEIN Podcast: Perspectives on Prevention – Saoirse Brady, Director of Irish Penal Reform Trust

23rd May 2024

In an episode of Perspectives on Prevention podcast released on 23 May 2024, Saoirse Brady, Director of Irish Penal Reform Trust, talks with Marian Quinn about the need for reform of sentencing practices, the impact of prison on families and children, and what’s needed to reduce offending. 

The Journal: Opinion - Allowing prisoners to vote is a symbolic indication that they remain citizens

17th May 2024

Vice-chair of the Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) board, Dr Cormac Behan, outlined how prisoners in Ireland were given the right to vote and how the process now works in an opinion piece in The Journal.

Irish Legal News: Foreign nationals less likely to be granted bail by Irish judges

7th May 2024

IPRT comments on the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) research report into the use of pre-trial detention and the denial of bail in Ireland.

Irish Examiner: ‘Dramatic’ increase in number of people detained in custody before trial

7th May 2024

IPRT commented on the new report research report published by the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) that examines the use of pre-trial detention and the denial of bail in Ireland.

Law Society Gazette: Call to back up high-turnout jail voters

26th April 2024

Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) has written to prison governors asking them to put in place measures to support registration and facilitate voting in prisons.

Irish Times: Letter - Plan for prison expansion is a bad idea

18th April 2024

IPRT joined politicians, researchers in criminology and criminal justice, and people in the community sector in adding our name to an open letter proposing we adopt evidence-based alternatives to prison expansion in Ireland. The letter was published in the Irish Times.

RTÉ Radio 1 - Today with Claire Byrne: Tougher sentences for knife crime and minimum jail terms for serious offences: FG’s Justice proposals

16th April 2024

IPRT Executive Director, Saoirse Brady, joined Fine Gael Senator Barry Ward on RTÉ Radio 1 for the Today with Claire Byrne show to discuss sentencing, minimum jail terms, and parole.

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