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: Most jail terms last year were for minor offences
7th August 2010
More then half the prison population is now made up of people charged with road traffic offences and non-payment of court ordered fines.
Irish Independent: Cost of locking up prisoners down by €15,000 per inmate
3rd August 2010
Dearbhail McDonald, Legal Editor, reports in the 'Irish Independent' on the falling costs of housing a prisoner in 2009. IPRT's Liam Herrick challenges the figures, questioning whether monies saved through chronic overcrowding can be viewed as 'success'.
Sunday Tribune: Prison population over 5,000
1st August 2010
In the Sunday Tribune, Ali Bracken, Crime Correspondent, reports on latest figures from the Irish Prison Service (IPS) which show further increases in prisoner numbers.
Irish Times: Thornton Hall project "poorly planned"
27th July 2010
A Government plan to expand the State's prison capacity without first addressing the reasons behind the rising rate of imprisonment is ill-judged, the Irish Penal Reform Trust said.
Irish Times: Fresh challenge to slopping out may follow court ruling
26th July 2010
In an article in the Irish Times, IPRT's Liam Herrick discusses the possibility of future legal challenges being made against slopping out and prison conditions in Ireland.
Sunday Times: Prisons set to lose case over slopping out
18th July 2010
In an article in the 'Sunday Times', Sarah Mclnerney reports on the judgement in the 'slopping out' case, and IPRT's Liam Herrick comments on the implications for future cases that might be brought.
Irish Examiner: Lack of supports for vulnerable young people
16th July 2010
Jennifer Hough, in the second part of an Irish Examiner special investigation on youth justice, highlights issues of concern within the juvenile criminal justice system and the lack of early intervention services made available to young offenders.
Irish Examiner: Led Astray - Lost Young Lives
15th July 2010
In a 2-day special investigation in the 'Irish Examiner', Jennifer Hough examines how to balance appropriate punishment of young offenders with victims' rights.
Today FM: Housing of Sex Offenders
6th July 2010
Following the passing of a motion by Wicklow County Council to remove convicted sex offenders from the local authority housing list, Liam Herrick of IPRT joined Cllr Tom Fortune and Matt Cooper on Today FM's 'The Last Word'.
Irish Times: Where the revolving door stops
5th July 2010
A back-to-work course for former prisoners is bucking the trend of recidivism, writes Roisín Ingle in the 'Irish Times'. Trasna, a year-long back-to-work course, is designed to make former prisoners job ready...
