Virgin Media TV, Ireland AM: Prison overcrowding - IPRT
4th May 2023
On 3 May 2023, Acting Exective Director of IPRT, Molly Joyce, featured on Virgin Media TV on the Ireland AM show. She discussed the scale and implications of prison overcrowding and the impact this has on people in prison.
Speaking about the solutions, she stressed the need to prioritise implementing them before turning to prison expansion.
Ms Joyce reiterated IPRT's concerns at proposals to expand the prison estate. Creating more spaces is not the answer to overcrowding. A quicker response to overcrowding would be to prioritise other penal reform measures mentioned in the Review of Penal Policy Options. Requiring judges to consider non-custodial and community-based sanctions; improving community service; reviewing Community Support Scheme & Return Programme; implementing High Level Task Force on Mental Health & Addiction recommendations and reviewing the Fines Act would all reduce overcrowding.
Watch back the segment here.
Related items:
- Report launch: Paying the Price – The Cost and Impact of Imprisonment on Families in Ireland
- Newstalk News
- Saoirse Brady Speaks to RTÉ on Deaths in Custody and Overcrowding Crisis following the publication of the Office of Inspector of Prison's Annual Report
- IPRT Responds to OIP Report Highlighting Record Deaths and Prison Overcrowding
- Press Release: IPRT calls for immediate action following the Office of the Inspector of Prisons’ publication of its Annual Report 2024 and Strategic Plan 2025-2029
