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.
RTÉ Nine News: IPS Annual Report shows increase in prison population
26th August 2011
The Irish Prison Service Annual Report 2010 reveals further worrying increases in the Irish prison population. Liam Herrick discusses this and other issues emerging from the report.
The Irish Times: 'UN urged to examine Irish human rights lapses'
13th August 2011
Calls for improved prison conditions and an independent complaints system for prisoners are among the items under consideration during the UN periodic review of Ireland, 'The Irish Times' reports.
Medical Independent: 'Suffering on the Inside'
11th August 2011
June Shannon examines whether the State is meeting the basic human rights of Irish prisoners with a mental illness in an overcrowded and decaying jail system.
RTÉ News: 'Early releases considered due to prison overcrowding'
8th August 2011
Dr Mary Rogan, Chairperson of IPRT, talked to 'News at One' about current proposals to tackle prison overcrowding, including incentivised early release; Jane Mulcahy, IPRT Research & Policy Officer spoke to RTÉ Nine News.
The Irish Times: Mountjoy to stay open when new jail built
5th August 2011
Mountjoy Prison is to remain open even after the planned new Thornton Hall prison is completed, writes Conor Lally in today's 'Irish Times'.
RTÉ 'Today with Pat Kenny': Prison Conditions
20th July 2011
Senior Counsel, Michael O’Higgins and former prisoners John and Eamonn talked to RTÉ's Pat Kenny about prison conditions.
TV3 Midweek: Imprisonment for Dog Licence Fine
29th June 2011
A man imprisoned for non-payment of a dog licence fine talked to TV3's 'Midweek' about his experience; IPRT's Liam Herrick was in studio to respond.
Irish Daily Mail: How thousands of fine defaulters sent to prison by judges are sent straight back home after an hour or two inside
12th June 2011
An article from Ken Foxe in today's Irish Daily Mail reports on the procedure of admitting fine defaulters to prison.
Irish Examiner: ‘Difficulty’ over Central Mental Hospital beds for prisoners
11th June 2011
The 'Irish Examiner' reports on the response of the Irish Prison Service to the Inspector of Prisons' report on the treatment of mentally ill prisoners.
Irish Examiner: 'Man crawled in cell while covered in own excrement'
10th June 2011
Writing in the 'Irish Examiner', Cormac O’Keeffe reports on a mentally-ill prisoner who was held in prison because there was no place for him in the Central Mental Hospital.
