22nd June 2021
*This survey is now closed. Our sincere thanks to those who took part.*
COVID-19 related restrictions were first introduced in Irish prisons in March 2020. Some family members have told us that they have had no in-person contact with their family member in prison since then.
In order for IPRT to get a better sense of how ongoing restrictions have impacted families of prisoners in Ireland and what the penal system can learn from this impact beyond COVID-19, we are running an open survey for people with a family member in prison during COVID-19.
You can complete the survey here. The deadline for responses is Monday 12th July 2021.
As the leading non-governmental organisation working in penal reform, we will use the survey findings to document and understand the experiences of families affected by imprisonment during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. This will help to help to inform and support our future policy, campaigns and advocacy work in this area. We’d like to hear about all experiences – both positive and negative. Your answers are 100% anonymous and all questions in the survey are optional.
The survey should take 10 minutes to complete. Further information about participation in the survey and how your responses will be used is available on the survey information page (the first page on the survey).
We are happy to post printed versions of the survey along with Freepost envelopes to any individuals or organisations who request them.
If you have any questions, or would like to request print copies of the survey, please contact Sarahjane at sjmccreery@iprt.ie
Last year, IPRT ran a survey to explore the impact of the first few months of COVID-19 restrictions in prisons on families. The results are here. The findings and anonymous quotes have since been used in our communications with stakeholders and in IPRT publications, including PIPS 2020 and Irish Prisons and COVID-19: One Year On.
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.