8th May 2014
The Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) has today congratulated Minister Frances Fitzgerald TD on her appointment as Minister for Justice and Equality. IPRT also acknowledges the significant progress in reforming Ireland’s penal system which has been achieved since March 2011 during the tenure of former Minister Mr Alan Shatter TD. IPRT looks forward to the continuation of this programme of progressive penal reform, which contributes to a safer, more efficient and more equitable justice system.
IPRT also congratulates Charlie Flanagan TD on his appointment as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. Among the most significant achievements within the youth justice system since 2011 has been progress towards ending the detention of children in the adult prison system, and the extension of the Ombudsman for Children’s remit to receive complaints from children detained in the adult prison system. These were achieved through the close co-operation of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, and IPRT looks forward to this productive co-operation between the two Departments continuing under the new appointments.
While many of the Justice and Law Reform commitments included in the Programme for Government have been met, a number of critical goals remain to be achieved, including:
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NOTES:
Although significant work remains to be done in the area of penal reform, it is hoped that Minister Fitzgerald will build upon a number of important reforms which have been achieved since March 2011:
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Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.