News & Press ReleasesNews & Press Releases
Irish Times: Call for radical overhaul of the State's sentencing system 16th October 2009
Senator Ivana Bacik (Lab) on the urgent need for debate, and Charlie Flanagan (FG) on the need for sentencing reform. Read more
Number of prisoners in custody exceeds 4,000 15th October 2009
The Irish Penal Reform Trust raises alarm on the growing numbers of prisoners in custody. Read more
Incredible Years: early intervention project in Ballymun 5th October 2009
On Morning Ireland this morning, Emma O'Kelly reported on a new intervention programme designed to reduce delinquency in young people. Read more
Irish Times: 'Grave concern' over prison overcrowding 2nd October 2009
The IHRC has given its backing to claims by the head of Mountjoy Prison’s visiting committee, Stephen Langton, that prison overcrowding is at dangerous levels and could be relieved if the courts stopped sending petty criminals to jail. Read more
Prisons Need Reform 2nd October 2009 
The Mountjoy Prison Visiting Committee Chairperson, Stephen Langton criticizes the overcrowding conditions and the threat drugs gangs in Irish prison hold to other inmates and prisoner staff. Read more
"Inhuman and Degrading Treatment": Inspection Report on Mountjoy Prison 24th September 2009
Incontrovertible and devastating evidence of chronic conditions in the largest prison in the State has been released in a report on an inspection of Mountjoy Prison today. Read more
Law Reform Commission: Debt should not lead to prison 22nd September 2009
The Law Reform Commission has recommended that people who genuinely cannot pay personal debts should not be sent to prison, in a consultation paper published today. Read more
Short-term savings on children has long-term costs for society 3rd September 2009
Ireland is among the “worst performing nations” when it comes to how much we spend on general child welfare in terms of health and education. Read more
Letter to the Editor, Irish Times: "Prisons under 'severe strain'" 20th August 2009
It is possible to change both the present and the future of our prison system, states Dr Mary Rogan in a letter to the Irish Times today. Read more
IPS Annual Report: IPRT greatly concerned at dramatic increase in numbers 14th August 2009
The Irish Prison Service Annual Report 2008 sends out clear warning signals regarding the failing system of court-imposed fines, the impact of mandatory sentencing for drugs offences, and the sharp increase in short-term sentences. Read more