An end of year message from IPRT's Executive Director
Dear members, friends, and supporters,
As the year draws to a close, we reflect on everything IPRT has achieved this year.
The past few months have been very exciting for IPRT with several new additions to the team. Despite that, our team has been remarkably busy! This edition of the Ebulletin is packed with successes, including recent highlights, updates on our recent research, and news from the sector.
It’s fair to say that 2022 has been a year of change for IPRT. However, the steadfast commitment of our small but dedicated team has remained constant. We have continued to be highly productive, impactful and maintain an impressive public profile despite a changeover in Executive Director and reduced staff capacity at various times during the year.
In September, we also held our first in-person AGM since before the pandemic which provided a great opportunity to meet with members and discuss our key priorities for the upcoming year. I believe we are at a tipping point for progressive penal policy in terms of commitments made, political leadership and the current momentum to see meaningful change for the better in the system.
Yet we know that the number of people in prison each day is continuing to climb to historic levels, we have only just seen the return of weekly physical prison visits in December 2022, and that there is significant unmet mental health need in prison. While we acknowledge the State’s progress on policy commitments, we need to see these made a reality and IPRT will continue to use our fearless voice to make sure that these commitments are delivered and that rights are realised.
As I head on my maternity leave at Christmas, I leave IPRT in the incredibly capable hands of Molly Joyce who will be Acting Executive Director.
On behalf of the IPRT team, we wish all of our supporters a peaceful festive break and a happy New Year.
Saoirse Brady,
Executive Director
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