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.
thejournal.ie: Child offenders will no longer be detained in adult prisons
29th March 2017
On Tuesday 28th March 2017, Cabinet agreed to end the sentencing of children to adult prisons.
Round-up: Council of Europe 'SPACE I' Annual Penal Statistics in Europe for 2015
22nd March 2017
The Council of Europe have published their Report: SPACE I Annual Penal Statistics in Europe for 2015, containing a detailed breakdown of penological trends across Europe.
The Irish Examiner: Numbers being jailed at lowest since 2008
21st March 2017
An article in today's Irish Examiner by Cormac O'Keeffe on how the number of people being jailed has reached its lowest level since 2008.
Round-up: Ireland's examination under the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)
15th February 2017
IPRT made a submission in advance of CEDAW on issues facing women in the Irish criminal justice system, including: too many women are sent to prison for non-violent offences (including the non-payment of fines), the failure to provide gender-specific alternatives to prison, and the lack of open prison facilities for women.
Drivetime: Mental Health Issues in Prison
3rd February 2017
IPRT’s Acting Executive Director Fíona Ní Chinnéide spoke to Mary Wilson on RTE Radio One’s Drivetime, on the topic of mental health in prisons.
The Pat Kenny Show: Interview on Spent Convictions
2nd February 2017
IPRT’s Acting Executive Director Fíona Ní Chinnéide spoke to Pat Kenny on the topic of spent convictions.
The Irish Examiner: Feud link to rise in prison protection
1st February 2017
Recently released Irish Prison Service (IPS) figures show that the number of prisoners on 22/23 hour lock-up in Mountjoy has jumped eightfold, from six last October to 47 last month.
Irish Legal News: Hospitalisations of Mountjoy prisoners branded 'shocking'
10th January 2017
The number of Irish prisoners who have been hospitalised as a result of assaults, self-harm and drug incidents - particularly at Mountjoy Prison - is "shocking", the Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) has said.
The Detail.TV: Concerns raised over scale of prison deaths across the island of Ireland
19th December 2016
In TheDetail.TV and The Irish Times, articles by Claire Smyth raise concerns over the scale of prison deaths across the island of Ireland.
The Irish Examiner: No prison visits on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day
19th December 2016
The families of prisoners will not be able to visit their loved ones on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day this year, the Irish Prison Service has confirmed.
