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.
Government challenged to sign rights protocol
22nd September 2009
In an open letter published in the national papers today, the Government is urged to sign the new optional protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
Irish Independent, Comment: "Planning for the future failure of social policies."
21st September 2009
"Essentially, planning to build more prisons is planning for the future failure of social policies," writes Liam Herrick in today's Irish Independent.
4FM: Building more prison spaces will not solve the problem
21st September 2009
Liam Herrick talks to David Harvey on 4FM's 'Lunchtime on 4' about the fallacy of building new prison spaces when such chronic conditions exist in our current prisons.
Today FM, The Last Word: Overcrowding could lead to serious injury or loss of life
18th August 2009
Liam Herrick talked on Today FM's 'The Last Word' on the Inspector of Prisons report, which highlights how prisons overcrowding could lead to serious injury or loss of life.
RTÉ Drivetime: Increase in people sent to prison
17th August 2009
Liam Herrick, IPRT Executive Director, talked to RTÉ's Drivetime about the worrying trends revealed in the Irish Prison Service Annual Report 2008.
Irish Times: 'Jail population continues to rise'
14th August 2009
"Increasing the size and numbers in our prisons does not — and will not — reduce levels of crime. It merely serves to increase prisoner numbers."
Evening Echo: Young People and our Justice System
10th August 2009
In the first part of a six-day series on youth justice, 'Evening Echo' Security Correspondent Ann Murphy talked to IPRT on the issues surrounding detention of young people in Ireland.
Letter to the Editor, Irish Times: "McCarthy report reaction"
28th July 2009
One does not need a PhD in economics to foresee that cuts in resources to high-risk groups could well mean storing up much larger social and economic liabilities for future generations.
"Problems for children in care": youth justice issues on RTÉ 'This Week'
21st June 2009
A report on RTÉ's 'This Week' looking at conditions for those in State care, particularly young offenders. IPRT Chair, Dr Ursula Kilkelly spoke on Youth Justice issues in Ireland.
Irish Examiner: Liam Herrick says we need to rethink our dependence on prisons
19th June 2009
In an Opinion piece published in today's 'Irish Examiner', Liam Herrick outlines how expanding our prison system can no longer be presented as as end in itself.
