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.
Irish Examiner: 'Our prison system remains in crisis'
18th November 2011
Executive Directer of IPRT, Liam Herrick, reports that overcrowding remains the core problem of our prison system and must be addressed first and foremost.
Irish Times: 'Shatter to use early releases to ease overcrowding'
11th November 2011
Writing in The Irish Times, Crime Correspondent Conor Lally reports on the shelving of prison building projects at Thornton Hall in Dublin and Kilworth in Cork, and plans to release prisoners early to ease overcrowding.
thejournal.ie: 'Focus should be on better conditions – not more prisons'
7th November 2011
Aoife Barry reports on IPRT's reaction to the latest prisoner figures.
Sunday Independent: 'Bill will allow jobseekers to airbrush criminal records'
23rd October 2011
Writing in the 'Sunday Independent', Daniel McConnell reports on the forthcoming Spent Convictions Bill, which is "at an advanced stage of drafting, with only finer details left to be finalised."
Irish Examiner: 'Delay in laws to address court fine jailings'
18th October 2011
Cormac O'Keeffe reports that despite the significant numbers being sent to prison for non-payment of fines, legislation enacted last year to address the issue will not be operational for at least 12 months.
thejournal.ie: 'Government urged to address ‘sub-standard’ prison conditions'
10th October 2011
Reporter Aoife Barry details IPRT's response to the Government's commitments on prisons-related recommendations contained in the UN Universal Periodic Review.
RTÉ Six One News: 'Govt urged to address prison overcrowding'
6th October 2011
Ireland's first hearing under the UN Universal Periodic Review took place today in Geneva. A third of countries highlighted prison issues.
RTÉ Prime Time: 'The trials and tribulations of fine-defaulters'
27th September 2011
IPRT's Liam Herrick appeared on RTÉ's 'Prime Time' in a report on imprisonment of fine-defaulters, which asked whether the Courts are dealing with the issue in the most appropriate manner, given the straitened financial times in which we are living?
The Irish Times: 'Shatter to review mandatory terms for drugs offences'
17th September 2011
Writing in 'The Irish Times', Carol Coulter reports on Minister Shatter's "wide-ranging speech" at the Irish Penal Reform Trust’s annual lecture.
Politico: All encompassing review of penal policy needed to tackle prison overcrowding
7th September 2011
Paul Walsh reports on the release of the Report of the Thornton Hall Project Review Group and the IPRT's response to the recommendations made.
