Parole Reform
The main purpose of parole is to increase community safety. Parole does this by providing structured, supported and supervised transition of prisoners serving long sentences (primarily life-sentenced prisoners) from prison back into the community.
IPRT believes that the early prison release system in Ireland should be coherent, transparent and fair. We long campaigned for the establishment of a statutory parole system, which is fully independent of political control. We have long believed that this would help to achieve clarity in the law and support a proper balance between the protection of the public and the rights of sentenced persons to a fair and balanced system of release.
In July 2021, Parole Act 2019 was commenced, placing the parole process on a statutory footing. IPRT will continue to closely follow the implementation of and developments with the new parole process, with particular focus on any new procedures and the rehabilitation of people in prison.
Round Up: Parole in the media
11th June 2019
Read about IPRT’s recent media engagements on the reform of the parole process.
Parole legislation must be progressed with urgency to ensure clear, transparent and fair system for everyone
5th June 2019
ADVISORY: IPRT welcomes the restated commitment of the Minister for Justice and Equality to progress legislation needed to reform the current parole system.
Parole and Temporary Release in Ireland: An overview
4th June 2019
Want to know more about how parole works? We have compiled a brief overview of the purpose of parole and temporary release, as well as some recent figures on the use of parole in Ireland.
UK: Increased temporary release of prisoners leads to reduced reoffending
31st May 2019
Results from a study published by the Ministry of Justice suggest that increased use of release on temporary license before release from prison is associated with reduced offending on release.
Parole Board Annual Report 2017
4th October 2018
The Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan TD, has published the Parole Board Annual Report for 2017.
IPS Examination of the Sentence Management of people serving Life Sentences
8th May 2018
A report examining the sentence management of life-sentenced prisoners has been published by the Irish Prison Service.
IPRT Submission on Parole Bill 2016
10th April 2018
In February 2018, IPRT made a submission on the Parole Bill 2016, in conjunction with Dr Diarmuid Griffin
Parole Board Report: Prisoners with mental health issues denied TR because 'essential community supports were not available'
1st November 2016
In its 2015 Annual Report, the Parole Board has highlighted the case of three life sentence prisoners who were recommended for temporary release, but denied the move because of a lack of suitable services in the community to support their mental health needs.
IPRT Briefing: Parole and Temporary Release of prisoners serving long sentences
5th October 2016
A short briefing outlining IPRT recommendations for reform of the current parole system.
The Irish Times: Life Sentences and Parole Reform
6th September 2016
Read IPRT's latest comments in the media on sentencing for murder along with new information concerning the parole process.
