IPRT promotes rehabilitation and social integration as central concerns of Irish penal policy.
Incarceration often damages the prisoner’s social functioning, therefore contributing to his or her return to offending following release. Studies have shown that imprisonment has a damaging effect on the mental health of the prisoners, and can impair the ability to function in the outside world; prisoners can become institutionalised and therefore unable to live outside of the prison environment.
Imprisonment also carries with it profound negative social impacts on the prisoner’s family and on his or her community, and often the consequences of even a short period of imprisonment are permanent for both the prisoner and those close to him. Research has shown that those communities to which most ex-prisoners return are those characterised by high levels of deprivation and least able to cope with their re-entry. IPRT believes that imprisonment can exacerbate such difficulties within such communities.
In this context, IPRT believes that appropriate preparation for release and post-release support play an important role in the successful return of former prisoners to their families, communities and the wider society. Two elements should always be considered: preparation during the course of the sentence (‘sentence-planning’) and coordinated support post-release. Preparation for release while still in prison should consider not only equipping prisoners with essential skills (such as work skills), but should also include making connections with the prisoner’s family and/or community outside of the prison environment, for example through the use of periods of temporary release.
IPRT believes that post-release support is crucial in the successful re-integration, and should link the former prisoner not only with potential employment opportunities but also with appropriate services in the community, for example with mental health services or substance abuse support groups. It should also consider support for prisoners’ families.
8th May 2018
A report examining the sentence management of life-sentenced prisoners has been published by the Irish Prison Service.
20th November 2017
IPRT has launched two information sheets entitled 'Information on: Spent Convictions' and 'Information on: Expungement of Convictions'.
14th November 2017
The Prison & Probation Ombudsman (UK) carried out independent investigations into deaths related to substance misuse in Approved Premises (APs) and released a Bulletin on these findings.
10th August 2017
Lord Farmer’s report (2017) The Importance of Strengthening Prisoners' Family Ties to Prevent Reoffending and Reduce Intergenerational Crime was undertaken in collaboration with the charity Clinks and commissioned by the UK government. The report aimed to establish a link between a prisoner’s relationship with family and a reduction in reoffending. The report was part of the government’s strategy to overhaul prison policy, and according to Lord Farmer it is intended to be one of the biggest overhauls in a generation. The report was commissioned to act as a point of reference for the Secretary of State as he “rolls out the wider reform programme”.
17th July 2017
The “Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery – a health led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025” strategy sets out the Government’s response to addressing the harm caused by substance misuse in society over the next eight years.
11th July 2017
IPRT has a number of concerns about proposals included in the Criminal Justice (Commission of Sexual Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2017 [PMB], which may have unintended negative consequences.
2nd June 2017
A new report published on 2nd June 2017 by the Prison Reform Trust details findings of a two-year programme at HMP Brixton set up to give practical training and employment opportunities for prisoners and to develop ways in which prisons can set up sustainable training and employment networks to aid in the resettlement of prisoners.
15th May 2017
The Probation Service Annual Report for 2016 has been published. Following on from the recommendation of the Strategic Review of Penal Policy (2014), in 2016 the Probation Service introduced on a pilot basis an integrated model of Community Service. Integrated Community Service allows for up to one third of Community Service Order hours to be used to facilitate a participant's attendance at programmes and support services.
15th May 2017
The Probation Service in conjunction with the Department of Justice and Equality and the Irish Prison Service launched their strategy on social enterprise that will engage people with convictions in sustainable employment.
27th April 2017
IPRT welcomes recent initiatives by the Irish Prison Service to better support rehabilitation of prisoners, but expresses its serious concerns at the imminent closure of the Training Unit semi-open facility on 1st May 2017.
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.