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.
RTÉ: Prison overcrowding 'extremely concerning', says Irish Penal Reform Trust
24th April 2025
IPRT highlights the concerning level of overcrowding in the prison estate on RTÉ
Irish Independent: Thousands of Irish prisoners receive no in-person visits from family or friends
13th April 2025
Saoirse Brady, Executive Director of the Irish Penal Reform Trust, shed light on the real struggles families face when trying to stay connected with someone in prison
RTÉ Prime Time: Young people who offend
8th April 2025
In the RTÉ Prime Time segment titled "How the Lucky Dip gang is fuelling a car theft crisis," on 8 April 2025, Saoirse Brady, Executive Director of the Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT), discusses the broader implications of children in the criminal justice system and the solutions.
The Tonight Show, Virgin Media TV - Bail Re-Offending & Ireland’s Prison Overcrowding
11th March 2025
Irish Penal Reform Trust Executive Director Saoirse Brady appeared on the panel of The Tonight Show, on Virgin Media TV on 11 March 2025 discussing bail re-offending and Ireland’s prison overcrowding.
Irish Times: Overcrowded prisons and breaches of human rights
5th March 2025
On 5 March 2025, Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) Executive Director Saoirse Brady wrote in the Irish Times about the recently published Office of the Inspector of Prisons Annual Report 2023 that lays bare the sheer scale of human rights breaches and the lack of dignity faced by people in prison custody.
eolas: Enhancing Ireland’s criminal justice system
28th February 2025
IPRT responds to the Programme for Government with an opinion piece in eolas Magazine
The Mick Clifford Podcast, Irish Examiner: Is it time to find an alternative to prison? - Saoirse Brady
14th February 2025
On the latest episode of The Mick Clifford Podcast with the Irish Examiner, our Executive Director, Saoirse Brady, joins Mick Clifford to discuss the urgent need for alternatives to prison in Ireland.
The Detail: Care home shortages force scores of children to stay in juvenile detention
13th February 2025
In an article about child detention in Northern Ireland, which mentions other jurisdictions such as Scotland, Irish Penal Reform Trust Executive Director, Saoirse Brady, spoke to The Detail about child detention in the Republic of Ireland.
The Journal: Opinion: The next government needs to adopt a new approach to the criminal justice system
9th January 2025
In The Journal, Saoirse Brady of the Irish Penal Reform Trust says the new government should listen to the experts when it comes to creating a functioning, humane prison system in Ireland.
Irish Daily Mail: More Community Service and less jail to cut costs
6th January 2025
Opting for community service over the use of short sentences would save money, benefit society and tackle overcrowding in prison, says IPRT
