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 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
RTÉ Drivetime: Prison overcrowding and the Programme for Government
6th January 2025
Saoirse Brady spoke on RTÉ Radio One Drivetime. She discussed issues within the penal system in Ireland and solutions to address them, including the opportunity of the new Programme for Government.
The Sunday Times: Number of pregnant women in Irish jails at a record high
29th December 2024
On 29 December 2024, journalist Julieanne Corr of The Sunday Times reported on how overcrowding and staff shortages at Mountjoy lead to new mothers and babies spending much of the day in their cells,...
The Echo Chamber podcast: Imprisonment as a Last Resort
17th December 2024
Irish Penal Reform Trust Executive Director, Saoirse Brady, joined The Echo Chamber podcast host, Tony Groves, to discuss the prison system, restorative justice, community sanctions, ending secondary punishments and more.
Irish Legal News: Call for ‘political courage’ as more committed to prison on short sentences
16th December 2024
On Monday 16 December 2024, the Irish Legal News reported that the Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) has urged the incoming government to have the political courage to tackle prison overcrowding after...
