IPRT believes that responsibility for the provision of healthcare should be transferred from the IPS to the HSE. In addition to this, IPRT believes that those with mental illness should be diverted away from the criminal justice system and should be treated within a community setting, where possible.
This section includes posts on health in prison, including mental health and drug policy.
22nd February 2017
IPRT welcomes the Review of Prison Healthcare cited by Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald on the publication of the report 'Healthcare in Irish Prisons' on 21st February 2017.
6th February 2017
Article by Deborah H. Drake and David Scott of The Open University, which states that for those living in extreme environments, such as prison, it becomes difficult to draw a line between mental well-being and diagnosable mental illnesses.
12th January 2017
A report which examines the direction to be taken to improve healthcare provision for those who have involvement in the Criminal Justice System in the UK.
20th December 2016
The Probation and Prison Services have published an independent review of the drug and alcohol treatment services available to offenders. The review was done by Anne Clarke and Anne Eustace and published on 20th December 2016.
21st September 2016
The Department of Justice & Equality has published the First Interim Report of the Interdepartmental Group to examine issues relating to people with mental illness who come in contact with the criminal justice system.
5th September 2016
The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman of England and Wales, Nigel Newcomen, launched his latest 'Learning Lessons Bulletin'offering a host of recommendations regarding dealing with prisoners suffering from dementia
23rd June 2016
IPRT launched a new report on ‘Improving Prison Conditions by Strengthening the Monitoring of HIV, HCV, TB and Harm Reduction in Ireland’ on Thursday 23rd June 2016 in the Wood Quay Venue, Dublin 8.
3rd March 2016
The emotional costs of a prison suicide are profound, and can be devastating for all those involved. However, in this though-provoking research brief the Howard League for Penal Reform take a look at the likely economic impacts of a prison suicide and suggest that investing in suicide prevention in prisons, as well as being key to promoting mental well-being among prisoners, will likely produce significant economic benefits too.
10th February 2016
New Report and Monitoring Tool: HIV, HCV, TB and Harm Reduction in Prisons
27th March 2015
IPRT is currently inviting tenders for a research project on 'Improving Prison Conditions by Strengthening Infectious Disease Monitoring'.
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.