International
The work of IPRT is led by a number of standards developed by international bodies, organisations and courts in relation to imprisonment and wider issues of the State’s penal policy. In particular, our work is based on the commitment to implement in Ireland a human rights-based approach to penal policy.
With this in mind, IPRT’s research, policy and awareness-raising campaigns are developed to support and monitor the implementation in the context of penal policy in Ireland of the United Nations and Council of Europe standards.
The IPRT is also committed to the promotion of best practice examples that have proved effective in other jurisdictions. To this end, we aim to provide a comprehensive library of good practices that can be accessed and used by practitioners, academics, prisoners, and anyone else interested in penal reform and penal policy. The Library is updated on a regular basis to take into account most recent developments in this area.
Norway: ‘Women in Prison: A Thematic Report about the conditions for female prisoners in Norway’
20th January 2017
'Women in Prison' is the first thematic report published by the Norwegian Parliamentary Ombudsman under its UN mandate as the national preventive mechanism against torture and ill-treatment.
UK Report: ‘Rebalancing Act’, a resource for Directors of Public Health, Police and Crime Commissioners and other users
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.
UK: Prison and Probation Ombudsman’s Learning Lessons Bulletin Number 3: on Transgender Prisoners
10th January 2017
A bulletin has been released by the Office of the Prison and Probation Ombudsman (PPO). This 'Learning Lessons' bulletin explores the care and management of transgender individuals while in prison.
UK: Overlooked and Overrepresented: Gypsy, Traveller and Roma children in the youth justice system
22nd December 2016
An analysis of 12-18-year-old Gypsy, Traveller and Roma perceptions of their experiences in Secure Training Centres and Young Offender Institutions.
UK: Review of the Youth Justice System in England and Wales
22nd December 2016
The Ministry of Justice has just published a comprehensive review of the Youth Justice System in England and Wales. Published in December 2016, the report outlines key issues and challenges within the system and a change in approach towards youth justice in the UK, moving away from punitive responses and towards diversion and treatment. The central themes in the recommendations are for a devolved youth justice system and a focus on education.
UK: Family Connections
16th December 2016
The Prison Reform Trust UK, in collaboration with the ICPR and the University of Birkbeck in London have released a report on the importance of family relations to prisoners on their release into the community.
UK: Problem-Solving Approaches to Criminal Justice
16th December 2016
The Prison Reform Trust UK, in collaboration with the ICPR and the University of Birkbeck in London, have released a report on problem-solving approaches to criminal justice issues.
Northern Ireland: Report finds 'detrimental' approach to care of vulnerable men at Maghaberry
29th November 2016
On 23rd November 2016, a range of inspectorial bodies published their joint report on an announced 'low impact' inspection of Maghaberrry Prison in September. The report details serious concerns regarding the treatment of vulnerable men within the prison, with a significant reference to extended periods of isolated detention as 'solitary confinement'.
England & Wales: 'Great Expectations', Prisoner's Education Trust
14th September 2016
This report makes recommendations towards better learning outcomes for young people and young adults in custody in England and Wales.
UK Report: ‘Unlocking potential: a review of education in prison’
16th May 2016
This report from the 16th of May 2016 gives a detailed review of the state of education provision in the UK prison system, and makes recommendations mainly directed at public sector prisons in England, but with the principles set out also to be applicable to the private estate, and Wales.
