Irish Penal Reform Trust

IPRT Briefings

Irish Prisons and COVID-19: Lessons Learned from the Pandemic

13th September 2022

As Ireland emerges from the emergency phase of the pandemic, there are many lessons for the authorities in regards the management of COVID-19 within prisons. In this briefing, IPRT makes nine recommendations for action.

IPRT Briefing on the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2021

30th June 2021

This Bill seeks to implement the Supreme Court ruling in Wayne Ellis v Minister for Justice [2019] and repeal provisions relating to mandatory minimum sentences that apply when an offender commits a second or subsequent offence under the relevant legislation. IPRT believes the Bill could go further than simply repealing these limited provisions.

Irish Prisons and COVID-19: One Year On

12th April 2021

One year on from the imposition of COVID-19 restrictions, this IPRT briefing outlines what we have learned from the response to the pandemic and the steps that are now required in order to meet human rights obligations and address the effects of COVID-19 on people in prison and their families.

Irish prisons and COVID-19: Proposed Measures

30th April 2020

In this submission, IPRT sets out a number of proposed measures to be taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in order to minimise its impact on the whole prison community.

IPRT Briefing on Criminal Justice (Rehabilitative Periods) Bill 2018 [PMB]

7th February 2019

A short briefing outlining the amendments the Criminal Justice (Rehabilitative Periods) Bill 2018, if passed, would make to the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions and Certain Disclosures) Act 2016.

IPRT Briefing: Recommendations to the UN CEDAW Committee

14th February 2017

In advance of the examination of Ireland’s combined sixth and seventh periodic reports under the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in February 2017, IPRT published a briefing on key recommendations with some key facts and figures.

IPRT Briefing: Solitary Confinement, Isolation, Protection and Special Regimes

25th October 2016

A short document outlining the issues, the applicable human rights standards, and 10 key recommendations.

IPRT Briefing: Parole and Temporary Release of prisoners serving long sentences

5th October 2016

A short briefing outlining IPRT recommendations for reform of the current parole system.

IPRT Briefing: Spent Convictions

8th January 2015

A short document outlining the current situation with regard to spent convictions and why enacting legislation is so important.

IPRT Briefing: Detention of Children in St. Patrick's Institution (updated)

18th July 2012

A short document outlining IPRT's position on the ongoing detention of children in St. Patrick's Institution, together with information on the conditions, the issues and three key recommendations.

IPRT Briefing: Complaints, Monitoring and Inspection in Prisons (updated)

26th June 2012

A summary of an IPRT Position Paper which sets out the main issues relating to the monitoring and inspection of places of detention, and the need for independent external mechanisms for review of prisoners' complaints.

IPRT Briefing: Overcrowding in Irish Prisons (updated)

12th October 2011

A short updated document on the overcrowding crisis in Irish Prisons, identifying short-, medium- and long-term solutions.

IPRT Briefing: Women in Detention

22nd August 2011

Women offenders generally present a lower risk to society, yet high numbers are being sent to prison for non-violent offences. This Briefing outlines the current provisions for female prisoners in Ireland, with eight clear recommendations for change.

IPRT Briefing: Criminal Justice (Community Service) (Amendment) (No.2) Bill 2011

23rd March 2011

A short analysis of the Community Service Bill which will be discussed in the Dáil on 24th March 2011. IPRT welcomes the Bill from the new Minister for Justice, Mr.Alan Shatter.

IPRT Briefing: Sanitation and Slopping Out in Irish Prisons

24th January 2011

The ongoing practice of ‘slopping out’ in Irish prisons has received national and international condemnation. Despite Government assurances since 1993 that it will bring an end to this inhuman and degrading practice, it continues - in direct contravention of international human rights law.

IPRT Briefing: Reintegration of Prisoners in Ireland

13th July 2010

A short document making 12 key recommendations towards the necessary improvement of reintegration services in Ireland, thereby stemming the high rates of recidivism which sees 60% of prisoners return to prison.

IPRT Briefing: Fines Bill 2009 (Report Stage)

1st March 2010

A short document outlining amendments to the Fines Bill 2009, necessary to ensure that imprisonment is used only as a last resort for fine default.

IPRT Briefing: Mental Health in Prisons (preliminary)

17th November 2009

A short document outlining the issue of mental health in Irish prisons, with six key recommendations.

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