What we do

Established in 1994, the Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) is Ireland's leading non governmental organisation campaigning for rights in the penal system and the progressive reform of Irish penal policy.

IPRT publishes a wide range of policy positions and research documents; we campaign vigorously across a wide range of penal policy issues; and we have established IPRT as the leading independent voice in public debate on the Irish penal system.

We have three priority areas of work:

• a national penal policy which is just, humane, evidence-led, and uses prison as a last resort
• a national penal system which protects and promotes human rights and strives to achieve international best practice in its regimes, daily practices and overall culture
• IPRT as a sustainable, well-resourced, respected and collaborative stakeholder in penal policy in Ireland

We work towards progressive change through:

Advocacy based on research and evidence-led policies

• carrying out research studies on issues relating to the penal system
• publishing and disseminating a wide range of policy positions

Raising awareness of the work of IPRT and of penal reform issues

• campaigning vigorously across key issues
• disseminating the facts and dispelling the myths about prisons and prisoners
• stimulating and providing platforms for inclusive public debate
• organising conferences, lectures series and events
• providing a comprehensive information resource on penal reform issues in Ireland on our website

Working constructively with others

• constructive engagement with Government and elected officials
• building strong relationships with other agencies in the criminal justice system
• working with other NGO’s on common human rights issues
• where necessary, mounting or supporting legal challenges to initiate change in Irish prisons
• increasing our membership to demonstrate the wide support that exists for penal reform in Ireland

Download IPRT Strategic Plan 2023-2026 here.