IPRT in the News
As part of the Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) Strategic Plan 2023-2026, one of our main goals is to campaign for a progressive criminal justice system that upholds human rights. Engagement with the media plays a large part in that as we discuss our evidence-based research, advocate for people in prison, and work to change attitudes and challenge misconceptions about people in the criminal justice system.
Below you will see a list of most of IPRT's media features including recordings of radio discussions, links to TV appearances, and access to written articles and opinion pieces. You can also listen back to long-form recorded discussions with podcast hosts on our Podcast webpage.
‘Worsening’ prison overcrowding is reducing rehabilitation opportunities, campaigners say
26th August 2026
Saoirse Brady highlighted the continued use of prison for short sentences of 12 months or less, which account for 74 per cent of all sentenced committals, and the urgent need for a decisive shift towards evidence-based, community-based alternatives.
IPRT Executive Director, Saoirse Brady joined RTÉ Radio 1 to discuss the importance of maintaining safe, child‑centred environments in Oberstown.
25th August 2026
Saoirse Brady joined Tanya Ward on RTÉ Radio 1 to discuss the situation in Oberstown Children Detention Campus, highlighting the importance of maintaining safe, child-centred environments and ensuring that children in detention receive appropriate care and support.
Interview with Saoirse on overcrowding in the prison system in Ireland
17th August 2026
Saoirse Brady discussed overcrowding in Ireland’s prison system, highlighting the pressures facing prisons and the need for meaningful reform to address the underlying causes of imprisonment.
Saoirse Brady joined RTÉ Radio to discuss the returning scheme
13th August 2026
Saoirse Brady discussed the returning scheme, highlighting the importance of supporting people as they transition back into the community and the need for a more effective, rehabilitative approach to reintegration.
Meaningful reform of criminal legal aid system requires greater understanding of issues - Irish Times
12th August 2026
Irish Penal Reform Trust disappointed by apparent lack of nuance in public debate on criminal legal aid.
Irish Penal Reform Trust calls for reform of bail system - RTE Radio 1
21st July 2026
Saoirse Brady joined RTÉ Radio to discuss why Ireland needs to rethink the use of pre-trial detention.
The Irish Times view on bail reform: time for action - Irish Times
21st July 2026
The publication of the Rethinking Remand report has increased awareness of the urgent need for bail reform and greater scrutiny of the use of remand in Ireland, reflected in recent media commentary including an Irish Times editorial.
Legal aid row may put extra pressure on strained prison system - Irish Examiner
20th July 2026
Irish Penal Reform Trust director warns of a further increase in the number of people remanded in custody in already overcrowded prisons.
Serious concerns’ about bail system as pretrial detentions account for 19% of prison population - Irish Times
20th July 2026
Three out of four people held on remand were later released with no custodial sentence, NGO finds.
Call for State to expand youth bail supervision scheme to tackle sharp rise in people held in prisons - Irish Examiner
20th July 2026
Extending the successful scheme to women, young men and to vulnerable groups could help address chronic overcrowding in Irish jails, Irish Penal Reform Trust says.
