1st February 2024
On 1 February 2024, Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) submitted to the consultation on the National Disability Strategy (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth via the National Disability Authority). Given IPRT’s area of expertise, the submission focuses specifically on disability in the penal system. People in prison are a marginalised population within which people with disabilities are over-represented.
Prisoners’ rights are guaranteed by numerous international and European treaties, as well as Irish legislation. Despite this, research demonstrates that prisoners with disabilities are often discriminated against and encounter inaccessible spaces and a lack of support within prison.
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.