News & Press Releases

Community Service Orders as Alternatives to Short Prison Sentences in Ireland 1st December 2015

Kate O’Hara our Irish Research Council Employment Based Postgraduate Scholar recently published some of her research findings on sentencing patterns in Irish courts in the Irish Probation Journal. Read more

ADVISORY: Effective external oversight of prison system is crucial 28th November 2015

The Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT), Ireland’s leading penal reform organisation, held a major conference on the need for rigorous and effective external oversight of the Irish prison system on Fri 27 Nov 2015. Read more

IPRT Conference: Securing Accountability 27th November 2015

Ensuring Ireland both meets and exceeds our obligations to protect human rights behind prison walls. Read more

EUROPEAN TORTURE COMMITTEE: CONCERNS ON MENTAL HEALTH, VIOLENCE AND SOLITARY CONFINEMENT IN IRISH PRISONS 17th November 2015

The sixth report on places of detention in Ireland from the CPT, published today (Tuesday 17th November 2015) presents another indictment of a prison system that is struggling to meet its duty of care in terms of healthcare, mental health care, and ensuring prisoner safety. Read more

CPT Report: Summary of Critical Issues 17th November 2015

Summary of critical issues detailed in the sixth report on places of detention in Ireland from the Council of Europe Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Degrading Treatment (CPT), which was published today. Read more

In Memoriam: Dr Paul O'Mahony 13th November 2015

It is with deep regret that IPRT marks the passing of Dr Paul O'Mahony, a central figure in the founding and development of the Irish Penal Reform Trust. Read more

Prisoner death underlines need for single cell occupancy and risk assessment to ensure prisoner safety 9th November 2015

MEDIA ADVISORY: Single cell occupancy must be the norm and not a privilege, and adequate risk assessment must be conducted by prison management before accommodating prisoners in shared cells, the Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) has stated today. Read more

IPRT calls for “swift and decisive action” on implementing recommendations of Prison Culture Report 3rd November 2015

The Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) has called for “swift and decisive action” on implementation of the recommendations included in the Prison Culture Report, published today, to address the critical issues identified. Read more

Law Seminar: Bail Reform ~ Rights and Risks 28th October 2015

IPRT and ICBA are delighted to announce a seminar on Bail Reform on 11th of November 2015 in the Jury Assembly Room of the Criminal Courts of Justice. Read more

Swift and full implementation of all HIQA recommendations at Oberstown needed 22nd October 2015

IPRT is concerned at the slow pace of progress in implementing key HIQA recommendations at the Oberstown Children Detention Schools, revealed in the Follow Up Inspection Report of the facility published today. Read more