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.
Limerick prison dirty and unhygienic according to report
18th January 2012
A report published by the Inspector of Prisons has highlighted the inadequate conditions in Limerick prison and the need for change.
RTÉ 'This Week': Imprisonment of boys in St. Patrick's Institution
15th January 2012
"Nobody deserves St Patrick's as it's currently configured" - RTÉ's 'This Week' focuses on the ongoing imprisonment of boys in St Patrick's Institution.
The Irish Times: 'Adult prison facility used for minors 262 times'
7th January 2012
There were 262 committals of 16 and 17-year old boys to St Patrick's Institution in 2011, according to an article in 'The Irish Times'. This represents an increase of 19% on 2010.
RTÉ 'Morning Ireland': Calls for investigation following prison death
23rd December 2011
IPRT's Liam Herrick spoke to Morning Ireland's Cathal MacCoille about the need for accountabilty and independent oversight of investigations into deaths in prison.
The Irish Times: 'Ombudsman needed to examine prison deaths, says trust'
22nd December 2011
Crime Correspondent Cormac O'Keeffe reports that the death of a prisoner on suicide watch at Cloverhill Prison underlines the need for a prisons ombudsman, according to the Irish Penal Reform Trust.
Irish Examiner: 'Almost 7,000 people jailed for failing to pay fines'
20th December 2011
Cormac O'Keeffe reports that just under 7,000 people have been imprisoned for failing to pay fines up to the end of November 2011, an increase on the same period in 2010.
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."
