Irish Penal Reform Trust

Mental Health

Mental illness in the context of prison must be viewed as a health issue requiring an effective and prompt health intervention, including diversion to appropriate treatment services outside prison. However, people with mental health issues continue to enter the prison system due to a lack of access to appropriate mental health services in the community.

This section includes posts on issues relating to mental health in prison and the wider criminal justice system. If you are looking for general health-related information, click here.

Irish Penal Reform Trust notes areas of regression in the penal system over five years

7th February 2022

MEDIA ADVISORY: In publishing the fifth edition of PIPS, IPRT finds that the penal system – in some key areas of practice – has regressed over the last five years. We called for reforms in custodial sentencing policy so that prison is used as a last resort.

IPRT Submission on the General Scheme of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2021

21st January 2022

IPRT's brief submission on the general scheme of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2021 aims to highlight the needs of people with disabilities in prison and engaged with forensic mental health services in Ireland.

IPRT Submission to the 70th Pre-Sessional Working Group of the CESCR

7th January 2022

This is the Irish Penal Reform Trust’s first submission to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The submission makes the overarching point that Ireland is over-reliant on imprisonment as a response to social issues and socio-economic disadvantage.

Interagency Group for a Fairer and Safer Ireland Annual Report 2020

23rd December 2021

The Interagency Group focuses on analysing the nature of the problems faced by people when released from custody and how better interagency cooperation could assist in their reintegration into the community. The fourth Annual Report outlines areas of progress and of concern, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Invitation to Tender: Access to rights for people detained in secure forensic mental health facilities in Ireland

26th November 2021

This invitation to tender is now *CLOSED*. Please do not submit tenders as they will not be considered.

UK: The Impact of Community Support on Diverting Women from the Criminal Justice System

21st November 2021

A new report by Advance details the findings of their research on diverting women from the criminal justice system, and some key recommendations. It also explains the work of the Women's Diversion Service, whose goal is to allow women to address the circumstances that led them to commit offences.

Under-resourced forensic mental health system “fundamentally breaches human rights”

15th November 2021

MEDIA ADVISORY: IPRT endorses the findings and recommendations of the new Mental Health Commission report on 'Access to Mental Health Services for People in the Criminal Justice System’ and calls on the Minister for Health and the Minister for Justice to commit to resourcing the implementation of the recommendations in full.

MHC: Access to Mental Health Services for People in the Criminal Justice System

15th November 2021

This report highlights the “gaps in Irish mental health services which lead to mentally ill people ending up in prison,” the conditions for mentally ill people in prison, and the lack of capacity in the Central Mental Hospital (CMH).

Draft Report on Ireland’s third UPR

12th November 2021

IPRT summarises the recommendations relating to the work of IPRT made by States during the review, following the adoption and publication of the Draft Report on Friday 12th November.

Ireland’s human rights record under the spotlight by UN peers – IPRT

10th November 2021

PRESS NOTICE: Ireland’s human rights record, including its failure to ratify international human rights treaties and its treatment of people in prison, will be examined by the UN Human Rights Council Working Group as part of Ireland’s third Universal Period Review (UPR) from 13.30 today.

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