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.
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.
24th October 2012
A roundup of media reactions to IPRT's proposals for reform of remission, temporary release and parole, launched Mon 22nd Oct 2012.
23rd October 2012
On Monday October 22nd 2012, IPRT hosted our ninth Prison Law Seminar on the topic of Parole Reform and the ECHR.
22nd October 2012
A Position Paper which outlines IPRT recommendations for reform of prisoner early release mechanisms.
7th August 2012
The Parole Board should operate independent of government and on a statutory basis.
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.