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.
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.
4th October 2018
The Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan TD, has published the Parole Board Annual Report for 2017.
8th May 2018
A report examining the sentence management of life-sentenced prisoners has been published by the Irish Prison Service.
10th April 2018
In February 2018, IPRT made a submission on the Parole Bill 2016, in conjunction with Dr Diarmuid Griffin
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.
5th October 2016
A short briefing outlining IPRT recommendations for reform of the current parole system.
6th September 2016
Read IPRT's latest comments in the media on sentencing for murder along with new information concerning the parole process.
21st June 2016
The Parole Board is to be given statutory footing in a new Private Member's Bill brought before the Dáil this month.
10th February 2015
Writing in the Irish Times, Conor Lally reports on the sharp increase in life sentence prisoners in Irish prisons as well as highlighting the informal and politicised nature of Irish Parole Board determinations.
10th September 2014
The Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT), Ireland’s leading penal reform campaign organisation, has today called on the Minister for Justice and Equality, Mrs Frances Fitzgerald TD, to establish an independent Parole Board on a statutory basis, and remove decision-making around the release of life-sentenced prisoners from political control.
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.