Round-up: The rights, needs and experiences of foreign national and minority ethnic groups in the Irish penal system

27th April 2022

The Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) launched “Sometimes I’m missing the words”: The rights, needs and experiences of foreign national and minority ethnic groups in the Irish penal system online on Wednesday 27 April 2022.  

The report, commissioned by IPRT from the Maynooth University School of Law and Criminology, presents the findings of a small-scale exploratory study examining the rights, needs and experiences of prisoners and people with experience of probation who are from foreign national, migrant or minority ethnic backgrounds. The research comprised a literature review, legislative and policy analysis, data analysis, professional stakeholder interviews, and interviews with people in prison and people who have experience of probation.

The event featured a lively and informative conversation with The Rt Hon David Lammy MP, author of an independent review into the treatment of, and outcomes for, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic individuals in the criminal justice system in England & Wales.

Dr David Doyle, Dr Avril Brandon and Dr Joe Garrihy (Maynooth University School of Law and Criminology) presented key findings from the research. Other contributors at the launch event included: Khatuna Tsintsadze (Co-director, Zahid Mubarek Trust); Dr Bashir Otukoya (Dublin City University and National Anti-Racism Committee Member); Maria Joyce (Coordinator, National Traveller Women’s Forum); Nuala Kelly (Pavee Point); Séamus Beirne (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Lead, Irish Prison Service); and Michelle Richardson, (Senior Probation Officer, Probation Service). The launch was chaired by IPRT Chairperson, Dr Seamus Taylor, who has extensive experience and expertise in addressing equality and diversity in the public sector and tackling hate crime. 

A recording of the event is available on Youtube here and below.
 

Media: 

• The Irish Times: Foreign nationals and non-whites get longer jail terms for sex and drug offences, study shows
• Irish Examiner: Foreign nationals get one-third higher prison terms on average than Irish-born criminals
• TheJournal.ie: Report finds minority groups in Irish prisons can face 'aggression and name calling' from staff

This project is supported by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, under the Human Rights and Equality Grants Scheme 2020-2021.