Launch: New Research Report on Children and Families of Prisoners

16th November 2012

Monday, 19 Nov 2012 at 11am in Dublin

The Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) will publish a new comprehensive report on the rights and needs of children and families of prisoners on Monday, 19th November 2012. "Picking Up the Pieces": The Rights and Needs of Children and Families Affected by Imprisonment is the culmination of six months' research, including consultations with families and children of prisoners, along with service providers and agencies.

The report will be launched by the Ombudsman for Children, Emily Logan, at 11am on Monday, 19th November, 2012 in the Office of the Ombudsman for Children in Dublin.

Speakers are the event are:

• Ombudsman for Children, Emily Logan
• Liam Herrick, Executive Director, Irish Penal Reform Trust
• Larry de Cléir, Project Leader of the Bedford Row Family Project

To register for the launch, please contact Mary at 01-8741400 or info@iprt.ie or register online here.

For all media enquiries, please contact:

Fíona Ní Chinnéide, Communications Officer, Irish Penal Reform Trust: T: 1 874 1400; M: 87 181 2990; E: communications@iprt.ie

1. *New* IPRT Report on Children and Families of Prisoners

"Picking Up the Pieces": The Rights and Needs of Children and Families Affected by Imprisonment is a 48-page report on the rights, needs and experiences of families and children of prisoners. It follows extensive consultations with children, families, support services and relevant agencies. This report was kindly supported by the St Stephen’s Green Trust. The report will be available for download after the event at www.iprt.ie 

2. Ombudsman for Children | www.oco.ie

The Ombudsman for Children is the independent, statutory human rights organisation with responsibility for promoting and monitoring children’s rights in Ireland. The powers and authority of the Ombudsman for Children are set out in primary legislation, the Ombudsman for Children Act, 2002.

3. Bedford Row Family Project | www.bedfordrow.ie

The Bedford Row Family Project was set up in 1999 to support families visiting Limerick Prison. Their principal areas of work are: Hospitality at Limerick Prison, Education, Support and Counselling, Information, Referral, Advocacy, Response to Children's Needs, Raising Public Awareness, Research, Re-integration of People Who Have Been in Prison. Publications include Voices of Families Affected by Imprisonment. For more information, see www.bedfordrow.ie

4. Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) | www.iprt.ie

IPRT is Ireland's leading non-governmental organisation campaigning for the rights of everyone in prison and the progressive reform of Irish penal policy, with prison as a last resort.