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.
Evening Herald: A prison service on the edge
26th August 2010
The 'Evening Herald' highlights concerns over the increasing prisoner population, including those voiced by IPRT.
How and why temporary release is currently being used
16th August 2010
Too many people are unnecessarily clogging up the prison system, which is contributing to prison over-crowding and a reliance on temporary release.
Evening Herald: Mountjoy dungeons to boost cell capacity
16th August 2010
Charlie Mallon, writing in the 'Evening Herald', reports on overcrowding in Irish prisons.
RTÉ, Pat Kenny: The Management of Sex Offenders
11th August 2010
Liam was a contributor on today's Pat Kenny radio show, which looked at the public fears surrounding Larry Murphy's release as well as other issues pertaining to sex offenders in general.
Irish Examiner: Low level drug dealers receiving long sentences
10th August 2010
While criminal bosses escape prison, small and low level drug dealers are getting long jail terms.
Irish Examiner: Prison Crisis 'Out of Control'
9th August 2010
While the figures from the IPS Annual Report 2009 are alarming, we must remember that these are now 7 months out of date.
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.
