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.
6th February 2024
IPRT comments on the impact imprisonment has on children and families of people in prison, details about prison visits and other issues arising from overcrowding in prison.
29th January 2024
The Law Society Gazette reported on IPRT's response to the publication by the Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee of the Office of the Inspector of Prisons (OIP) Inspection Report Oversight Monitoring Visit During COVID-19 Pandemic Mountjoy Female Prison (Dóchas Centre) 2020 and supporting Action Plan.
26th January 2024
Almost four years after the Office of Inspector of Prisons conducted its first Covid-19 inspection in the Dóchas Centre, IPRT welcomes that Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, has published the report (albeit redacted in parts) but calls for the release of subsequent investigation reports.
17th January 2024
IPRT response to an analysis of data conducted by the Irish Examiner, showing the mounting pressures on the prison system.
17th January 2024
Cormac O'Keeffe of the Irish Examiner reported on the monthly figures of people in prison released by the Irish Prison Service (IPS) and compared them to previous statistics. IPRT responds to the numbers and calls for action to deliver existing commitments.
9th January 2024
IPRT speaks to Sorcha Pollak of the Irish Times In The News podcast alongside Irish Times Crime and Security Editor Conor Lally about reducing the number of people sent to prison.
4th January 2024
IPRT responds to the latest overcrowding figures at Cork prison.
4th December 2023
IPRT Executive Director, Saoirse Brady, responds to the number of days educational programmes were prevented from happening due to staff shortages.
30th November 2023
Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) welcomed many elements of two strategy documents published by the Irish Prison Service but warned, however, that broader efforts across the criminal-justice system must focus on reducing the number of people sent to prison in the first place.
29th November 2023
The Journal's Noteworthy initiative reports on their investigation of prison visits.
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.