Vision and Mission

Our Vision expresses the fundamental objectives of IPRT, which underpin all of our work:

IPRT's Vision

Our vision is a just, humane Ireland where prison is used as a last resort.

To achieve this Vision, IPRT commits itself to achieving a number of specific objectives. These objectives are set out in the Mission Statement of the organisation:

IPRT’s Mission Statement

Our mission is to advocate for a progressive criminal justice system that prioritises alternatives to prison, upholds human rights, and champions reintegration. We do this through conducting research, campaigning and changing attitudes.

All of IPRT’s work is underpinned and informed by our Values as an organisation:

IPRT’s Values

1. Our work is underpinned by human rights, a regard for human dignity and the humane treatment of people in the criminal justice system. We hold the State to account by calling out human rights issues within the system. We push for the highest possible standards of human rights recognition and compliance within the criminal justice system. We promote equality and respect human rights in all our work.
2. We are an organisation of integrity. We act honestly, ethically and respectfully when carrying out our research, communications and changemaking activities. We operate to the highest levels of transparency around how we use our funds to advance our purpose in line with charity regulation, legal compliance and ethical practices. We are an independent human rights voice.
3. We are a reflective organisation. We listen to and are open to feedback from our stakeholders and from people who have a lived experience of the criminal justice system. We keep up to date on current policy and best practice nationally and internationally. We support our team to learn and grow, adapting and responding as our environment changes.
4. We demonstrate leadership as an organisation. We are thought leaders in the advancement of penal reform and imagine evidence-informed alternatives through our in-depth research and insights. We are the go-to organisation for the most current thinking in penal reform. We engage diverse voices and encourage change in favour of greater social justice and to inform proposals to improve policy for people affected by the criminal justice system. We are courageous about standing up for what is right, even when our opinions are unpopular.

Read how our vision, mission, and values feature in and shape our Strategic Plan 2023-2026 here.