Irish Penal Reform Trust

Migrants & Minority Ethnic Groups

The disproportionate representation of migrants and minority ethnic groups in criminal justice systems across the globe is well documented. In Ireland, there has been some research on the rights and experience of migrants and ethnic minorities at policing and sentencing stages, and the over-representation of minority ethnic groups in the prison system has been highlighted to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. However, broader issues of racial and ethnic equality in the penal system remain under-explored in an Irish context, particularly in terms of accessing rights and accessing justice.

In 2020, IPRT was awarded funding from the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) to pursue a research and awareness-raising campaign focused on the rights and experiences of migrants and minority ethnic groups in the penal system in Ireland. 

IPRT Submission to the Joint Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community

6th August 2019

This short submission primarily focuses on mental health issues affecting Travellers in the prison system

Same Crime: Different Punishment? Investigating Sentencing Disparities Between Irish and Non-Irish Nationals in the Irish Criminal Justice System

28th September 2018

This article by Dr Avril Brandon and Dr Michael O'Connell investigates whether disparities exist between sentencing outcomes for Irish and non-Irish nationals and is the first to examine sentencing disparities by offender nationality in an Irish context.

Travellers in the Irish Prison System: A qualitative study

19th May 2014

Travellers in the Irish Prison System: A qualitative study is a 76-page qualitative research report, which includes interviews with 10 former prisoners

Our work is supported by

Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.

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