Out on the Inside: The Rights, Experiences and Needs of LGBT People in Prison

1st February 2016

LGBT prisoners and ex-prisoners are described as a “doubly-marginalised” group - both in LGBT service provision on the outside, and in prison policy and practice on the inside. 

Out on the Inside is the first in-depth study of the experiences of LGBT people in prison in Ireland. The report:

1. identifies examples of best practice in prison and penal policy;
2. analyses the needs of LGBT prisoners in Ireland from an equality and human rights perspective;
3. conducts primary research into the needs and experiences of LGBT people in prison in Ireland; and
4. makes recommendations to the Irish Prison Service and other relevant bodies. 

The report is authored by Dr Nicola Carr, Dr Siobhán McAlister and Dr Tanya Serisier of Queen’s University Belfast, who carried out the research for IPRT. The research was supported by The Community Foundation of Ireland.

The research comprises a literature review and primary qualitative data (in-depth interviews and a focus group). The final sample comprises of 14 serving prisoners and one former prisoner (7 of whom identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender), 10 representatives from criminal justice agencies, and four representatives from LGBT organisations (n=29).

The report can be downloaded here.