IPRT promotes rehabilitation and social integration as central concerns of Irish penal policy.
Incarceration often damages the prisoner’s social functioning, therefore contributing to his or her return to offending following release. Studies have shown that imprisonment has a damaging effect on the mental health of the prisoners, and can impair the ability to function in the outside world; prisoners can become institutionalised and therefore unable to live outside of the prison environment.
Imprisonment also carries with it profound negative social impacts on the prisoner’s family and on his or her community, and often the consequences of even a short period of imprisonment are permanent for both the prisoner and those close to him. Research has shown that those communities to which most ex-prisoners return are those characterised by high levels of deprivation and least able to cope with their re-entry. IPRT believes that imprisonment can exacerbate such difficulties within such communities.
In this context, IPRT believes that appropriate preparation for release and post-release support play an important role in the successful return of former prisoners to their families, communities and the wider society. Two elements should always be considered: preparation during the course of the sentence (‘sentence-planning’) and coordinated support post-release. Preparation for release while still in prison should consider not only equipping prisoners with essential skills (such as work skills), but should also include making connections with the prisoner’s family and/or community outside of the prison environment, for example through the use of periods of temporary release.
IPRT believes that post-release support is crucial in the successful re-integration, and should link the former prisoner not only with potential employment opportunities but also with appropriate services in the community, for example with mental health services or substance abuse support groups. It should also consider support for prisoners’ families.
2nd June 2010
A summary of IPRT's Oireachtas Seminar dealing with Spent Convictions, and other critical supports of the reintegration of offenders.
26th May 2010
The launch of IPRT's Report on Reintegration of Prisoners in Ireland covered in the Irish Examiner.
25th May 2010
IPRT highlights the need for a greater commitment to the reintegration of prisoners.
24th May 2010
This report from IPRT assesses the current provision of reintegration services and support for prisoners before and after their release from prison, identifies key systemic failures, and makes 14 clear recommendations for necessary improvements.
21st May 2010
IPRT are launching a new research report "It's like stepping on a landmine..." - Report on Reintegration of Prisoners in Ireland. The report assesses the current provision of reintegration services and support for prisoners on release from prison, identifies key systemic failures, and makes 14 recommendations for necessary improvements.
18th May 2010
As Ireland’s prison population grows, more children are having to cope with the stigma and loneliness of a parent in jail, writes Sheila Wayman in 'The Irish Times'.
17th May 2010
Parliamentary questions regarding the numbers on temporary release and its usefulness.
14th May 2010
Since 1991, Dublin's Bridge Project has been working with persistent offenders and offering an alternative to prison.
21st April 2010
New research explores the use of mentoring programmes in aiding reintegration of ex-prisoners.
13th April 2010
Familiar figures demonstrate the lack of effective reintegration and the dire consequences.
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.