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.
Prison recidivism 2015 cohort
25th June 2021
New figures published by the CSO find that almost 62% of people released from prison in 2015 re-offended within three years. In response, the IPRT is calling for the Government to introduce a statutory obligation on agencies co-operate around prisoner release.
The Irish Times: Just 2% of prisoners have been vaccinated to date
31st May 2021
IPRT has expressed dismay that men and women in prison appear to have been left behind in Ireland’s pandemic efforts.
TheJournal.ie: A conviction for €4 worth of cannabis 'just defies logic', say campaigners
22nd May 2021
Following a report in the Irish Examiner about a person formerly addicted to heroin appearing before the courts charged with possession of €4 worth of cannabis, thejournal.ie spoke to advocacy groups working in the areas of drug addiction and penal reform, including IPRT.
Irish Examiner: Covid-19 has ‘compounded’ mental health issues for prisoners
19th March 2021
IPRT comment featured in reporting by the Irish Examiner on parliamentary questions relating to mental health and addiction services in prisons.
In the news: Vaccination of prisoners
9th March 2021
IPRT comment featured in print and broadcast media following confirmation from the Department of Health that all prisoners would be vaccinated as part of group nine in the Vaccine Allocation Strategy.
Round-up: Launch of Progress in the Penal System 2020: Making Progress in a Pandemic?
27th January 2021
Progress in the Penal System (PIPS) 2020, the fourth annual edition of a report assessing progress in Ireland's penal system, was launched at an online event on Tuesday 26th January 2021.
OpEd: State must stop using prison to fill gaps in care for women and girls on the margins
26th January 2021
The Irish Independent has published an opinion article by IPRT Executive Director Fíona Ní Chinnéide discussing Ireland’s overreliance on imprisonment as a response to marginalised women.
Round-up: CPT Report 2020
25th November 2020
A summary of IPRT's presence in the media following our response to the Council of Europe Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Degrading Treatment (CPT) seventh report on Ireland.
IPRT featured in radio piece shortlisted for Headline Award
16th November 2020
A student exploration of mental illness and disability in the prison system in Ireland, featuring IPRT, has been shortlisted for the Headline Student Journalist Award 2020.
In the news: IPRT submission on spent convictions
9th November 2020
A summary of IPRT's presence in the media following our submission to the Department of Justice on the open consultation on spent convictions policy.
