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: 'Crisis freeing us up to finally pursue coherent crime policy'
15th November 2010
Writing in 'The Irish Times', columnist Breda O'Brien takes a look at Irish penal policy (or, indeed, the lack of), and how "expanding jails instead of tackling social problems was a typical Celtic Tiger response."
RTÉ Six One News: Surge in Irish prison population
22nd October 2010
RTÉ Six One News reports on the "highly critical report on conditions in many of the Ireland's 14 prisons", including an interview with IPRT Executive Director, Liam Herrick.
Irish Examiner: Petty criminals set to be kept out of prison
19th October 2010
Judges will soon be forced to consider imposing community service as an alternative to prison sentences under new Government plans, writes Cormac O'Keeffe.
Evening Herald: Jail overcrowding could end in death
15th October 2010
Charlie Mallon reports on the riot in Mountjoy which saw three officers hospitalised, quoting Executive Director of IPRT, Liam Herrick on how overcrowding contributed to the situation.
Morning Ireland: Disturbances at Mountjoy Prison
15th October 2010
IPRT's Liam Herrick talked to Áine Lawlor about how overcrowding has made trouble in Mountjoy Prison inevitable.
Newstalk FM: the Irish Prison System
5th October 2010
IPRT's Liam Herrick talked to Newstalk FM's 'Breakfast Show' for an extended item on Irish prisons in general. Other contributors included Kevin Myers and Gerry O'Carroll, along with a former prisoner.
Irish Times: Mountjoy accounts for 45% of all drug seizures in Irish jails
4th October 2010
There have been almost as many drug seizures in Mountjoy Prison over the past two years as the rest of the jails in the Republic combined. This is despite a so-called drug-free regime operating in the Dublin jail.
Irish Times: Wall around site of planned prison 'poor use of money'
24th September 2010
Carol Coulter reports on the political panel at the IPRT's Shifting Focus conference this week.
Irish Examiner: 'Wasteful' spending of criminal justice system criticised
23rd September 2010
Cormac O'Keeffe reports on Shifting Focus: From Criminal Justice to Social Justice.
Irish Times: 'Shift' needed in approach to crime
23rd September 2010
Carol Coulter highlights some of the key facts presented by the speakers at the Shifting Focus conference.
