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.
RTÉ: Prison overcrowding making drug problem worse, says Irish Penal Reform Trust
14th August 2024
On 14 August 2024, Irish Penal Reform Trust Executive Director, Saoirse Brady, spoke to RTÉ in the wake of the news of a number of ten people in prison being hospitalised with suspected drug overdoses.
RTÉ News: Six One - Overcrowding contributing to drug problems in prison
14th August 2024
Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) Executive Director, Saoirse Brady, featured on the RTÉ News Six One speaking about overcrowding contributing to drug problems in prison.
RTÉ Radio 1: Judges may be able to recommend minimum sentences under new Government plans
7th August 2024
On 7 August 2024, Irish Penal Reform Trust Executive Director featured on RTÉ Radio 1 discussing the news that judges may be able to recommend minimum sentences under new Government plans.
Irish Examiner: 'Essential' that sex offenders can avail of interventions in prison
29th July 2024
IPRT discusses the availability of therapeutic interventions in prison psychology services and touched on concerns regarding the repurposing of the Progression Unit.
Newstalk: Younified - How should we reintegrate former prisoners back into society?
17th July 2024
On 17 July 2024, Saoirse Brady, Executive Director of Irish Penal Reform Trust featured on an episode of the Newstalk show ‘Younified’ to discuss reintegrating former prisoners back into society.
Irish Examiner: One prisoner has been on remand for five or more years, and a dozen are waiting at least two years
8th July 2024
On 8 July 2024, the number of people on remand for long periods was published in the Irish Examiner. Irish Penal Reform Trust Executive Director, Saoirse Brady, responded to journalist David Kent about the news.
Irish Times: Prisons – crime and punishment - IPRT
28th June 2024
On 28 June 2024, the Irish Times published a letter written by Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) Executive Director, Saoirse Brady who responded to the number of people in prison surpassing 5,000 for the first time.
The Journal: Prison overcrowding: The number of people in prison in Ireland hit 5,000 for the first time ever
26th June 2024
The number of people in prison in Ireland surpassed 5,000 for the first time ever. IPRT responded to the news in The Journal.
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.
