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 Independent: Ireland 'shamed' by prison report
10th February 2011
An article in the 'Irish Independent' highlights the state of prison conditions in Ireland, showing that prison reform is urgently needed.
Sunshine FM: Dublin's Talking interviews Liam Herrick on the CPT report
10th February 2011
Executive Director, Liam Herrick talks to Dublin's Talking presenter Lynsey Dolan about the results from the CPT report.
Irish Times: 'Ombudsman calls for St Patrick's detention centre to be closed'
10th February 2011
'The Irish Times' reports on the Ombudsman for Children's report on St.Patrick's Institution which gives accounts of young people's experiences of the prison.
Sunday Mirror: Ireland lagging on jail privacy
6th February 2011
In the Sunday Mirror, Samuel Hamilton reports on new figures which reveal that almost half of the men held in Irish prisons must use the toilet in front of other prisoners.
Irish Examiner: '7,000 jailed over fines despite new laws'
3rd February 2011
Writing in the 'Irish Examiner', Jennifer Hough reports that 6,681 people were jailed last year for non-payment of court fines, despite the Fines Act 2010 - legislation which provides alternatives to imprisonment - being signed into law eight months ago. The article reports on IPRT's concerns at "soaring numbers" continuing to be jailed for failure to pay fines.
Irish Times: 'Penal reform fines legislation'
3rd February 2011
'The Irish Times' reports on IPRT's calls on an incoming government to commit to enacting legislation ensuring that the practice of imprisoning people for non-payment of fines is brought to an end, and to ensure the full operation of the Fines Act.
RTÉ 'Today with Pat Kenny': Child Law
14th January 2011
Marsha Levick of the Juvenile Law Center, Philadelphia, talks to RTÉ's Pat Kenny about her inspirational work challenging the treatment of children in the juvenile and adult criminal justice systems across the United States.
Irish Times: U.S. juvenile justice programme has valuable lessons for Ireland
20th December 2010
In today's Irish Times, Marsha Levick and Ursula Kilkelly write on how strategic litigation combined with academic research has helped advance the rights of children.
Irish Examiner: 20% of juvenile inmates locked up 23 hours a day
13th December 2010
More than a fifth of inmates in the country’s sole prison for young offenders are locked up in their cells for 23 hours a day, writes Cormac O'Keeffe in the Irish Examiner.
Irish Examiner: 'Youth justice to suffer swingeing cuts'
8th December 2010
Cormac O’Keefe, writing in the Irish Examiner, details the impact of the budget cuts on the Department of Justice and its associated services.
