Irish Penal Reform Trust

What we do

Established in 1994, the Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) is Ireland's leading non governmental organisation campaigning for rights in the penal system and the progressive reform of Irish penal policy.

IPRT publishes a wide range of policy positions and research documents; we campaign vigorously across a wide range of penal policy issues; and we have established IPRT as the leading independent voice in public debate on the Irish penal system.

We have three priority areas of work:

  • a national penal policy which is just, humane, evidence-led, and uses prison as a last resort
  • a national penal system which protects and promotes human rights and strives to achieve international best practice in its regimes, daily practices and overall culture
  • IPRT as a sustainable, well-resourced, respected and collaborative stakeholder in penal policy in Ireland

We work towards progressive change through:

Advocacy based on research and evidence-led policies

  • carrying out research studies on issues relating to the penal system
  • publishing and disseminating a wide range of policy positions

Raising awareness of the work of IPRT and of penal reform issues

  • campaigning vigorously across key issues
  • disseminating the facts and dispelling the myths about prisons and prisoners
  • stimulating and providing platforms for inclusive public debate
  • organising conferences, lectures series and events
  • providing a comprehensive information resource on penal reform issues in Ireland on our website

Working constructively with others

  • constructive engagement with Government and elected officials
  • building strong relationships with other agencies in the criminal justice system
  • working with other NGO’s on common human rights issues
  • where necessary, mounting or supporting legal challenges to initiate change in Irish prisons
  • increasing our membership to demonstrate the wide support that exists for penal reform in Ireland

Download IPRT Strategic Plan 2023-2026 here.

IPRT Annual Review 2022 – 2023

The 2023 Annual General Meeting of IPRT took place on Wednesday 20 September 2023, and the Annual Review 2022 - 2023 was launched.

IPRT Strategic Plan 2023-2026

This Strategic Plan 2023-2026 builds on IPRT’s work since our establishment in 1994, and on earlier strategic plans.

IPRT Annual Review 2021 – 2022

The 2022 Annual General Meeting of IPRT took place on Wednesday 21st September 2022, and the Annual Review 2021 - 2022 was launched.

IPRT Annual Review 2020 – 2021

The 2021 Annual General Meeting of IPRT took place virtually on Wednesday 22nd September 2021.

IPRT Annual Review 2019 – 2020

The 2020 Annual General Meeting of IPRT took place virtually on Wednesday 16th September 2020.

IPRT Annual Review 2018 – 2019

The 2019 Annual General Meeting of IPRT took place on Wednesday 18th September 2019 in the Camden Court Hotel.

IPRT Annual Review 2017 – 2018

The 2018 Annual General Meeting of IPRT took place on Thursday 20th September 2018 in the Camden Court Hotel.

IPRT Annual Review 2016 – 2017

The 2017 Annual General Meeting of IPRT took place on Thursday 21st September 2017 in the Ashling Hotel.

IPRT Strategic Plan 2017-2021

This Strategic Plan 2017-2021 builds on IPRT’s work since our establishment in 1994, and on earlier strategic plans.

IPRT Annual Report 2015-2016

The 2016 Annual General Meeting of IPRT took place on Thursday 22nd September 2016 in the Camden Court Hotel.

Our work is supported by

Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.

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