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.
Newstalk Breakfast - how to reduce the size of our prison population
9th August 2012
IPRT's Liam Herrick discusses ways to reduce the prison population.
The Irish Independent - 'Courts imprisoned 17,318 people'
8th August 2012
Following the release of the Irish Prison Service Annual Report 2011, Irish Independent article highlights IPRT's main concerns.
The Irish Times: '14,000 sent to prisons in Ireland last year'
8th August 2012
IPRT's response to Irish Prison Service Annual Report 2011 featured in The Irish Times.
Irish Examiner: 'Penal reformers concerned at rise in female prisoners'
8th August 2012
Irish Examiner's Cormac O'Keefe refers to IPRT's main concerns in his analysis of Irish Prison Service Annual Report 2011.
IPRT welcomes “levelling off” of prisoner numbers, but number of female prisoners and fine defaulters continues to rise.
7th August 2012
IPRT welcomes “levelling off” of Prisoner Numbers, but number of Female Prisoners and Fine Defaulters continues to rise.
IPRT calls for Parole Board reform
7th August 2012
The Parole Board should operate independent of government and on a statutory basis.
Progress in ending detention of children in St. Patrick's Institution as final 16 year old released, but uncertainty remains for 17 year olds
6th August 2012
Historic moment as the final 16 year old boy is released from St Patrick's Institution, but thirty-one 17 year old boys remain.
Reducing prisoner 'gratuity' is negative, miserly and punitive
31st July 2012
IPRT Board member, Dr Kevin Warner, outlines why reducing prisoner 'gratuity' is a complex and far-reaching issue.
The Irish Times: 'Punishment in Prison'
27th July 2012
IPRT Executive Director Liam Herrick questions the use of prison as punishment for 'white collar'and non-violent crimes, in response to Fintan O'Toole's Irish Times article 'Quinn's jail priveleges show touch of class'.
RTE Radio 1 Drivetime: The use of open prisons in Ireland
27th July 2012
IPRT's Liam Herrick featured in RTE Drivetime's feature on open prisons in Ireland. Following the committal of Sean Quinn Jnr to Mountjoy prison for civil contempt, and his subsequent transfer to the 'open'Training Unit, debate in relation to prison as punishment has emerged.
