Ireland’s examination by the UN Committee against Torture is being broadcast live right now here and embedded below. More details here.
The examination takes place this morning, Mon 23 May, and resumes tomorrow afternoon, Tues 24 May. Both sessions will be broadcast live online.
Full details about the Irish government delegation present at the UN’s Palais [...]

The fifth report on Ireland from the Council of Europe Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Degrading Treatment (CPT), published today, is the most critical yet, and a damning indictment of a prison system that is failing to meet the most basic human rights standards of safe and humane custody. The Irish Penal Reform [...]

Joint statement ISSUED BY:
Irish Penal Reform Trust
Barnardos
Eddie Darcy, Catholic Youth Care
Children’s Rights Alliance
Irish Association for Young People in Care
Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice
Catherine Ghent, solicitor
Dr. Ursula Kilkelly, UCC
Fr. Peter McVerry, Peter McVerry Trust
Young offenders’ capacity for rehabilitation is being undermined by imprisonment in St Patrick’s Institution and urgent action is required to minimize the [...]

6,681 imprisoned for non-payment of fines as legislation awaits full commencement
The Irish Penal Reform Trust, Ireland’s leading penal reform campaign organisation, has today expressed concern at the soaring numbers continuing to be sentenced to imprisonment for failure to pay fines, despite the signing of the Fines Act 2010 into law on 2nd June 2010. The [...]

IPRT welcomes commitment to penal reform and imprisonment as a last resort but calls for clearer statement on Thornton Hall
The Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) welcomes the clear commitment to penal reform and imprisonment as a last resort included in the Labour Penal Reform Policy Document, which was launched today. IPRT believes this policy statement [...]

PILA & IPRT Seminar with Marsha Levick, world leader in challenging the treatment of children in criminal justice systems
On Monday 10th January, the Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) and the Public Interest Law Alliance (PILA) will co-host a seminar with Marsha Levick of the Juvenile Law Centre (JLC), Philadelphia, a world leader in challenging the [...]

Using evidence-based policy to build better and safer communities
Instead of throwing increasing amounts of taxpayers’ money at an ineffective prison system, we should be investing in communities by way of prevention and early intervention strategies, addressing the marginalization associated with offending behaviour, and thereby reducing crime.
This is the core message which the Irish Penal Reform [...]

The Irish Penal Reform Trust, Ireland’s leading voice for penal reform, will today host an Open Public Forum, entitled Exploding Prisoner Numbers – Causes, Effects and Solutions. The event, which is chaired by the Inspector Prisons, Judge Michael Reilly, will outline the causes of rocketing prison numbers in Ireland, and identify practical solutions to the [...]

Last night the number of prisoners in custody in Mountjoy Prison reached 691, which is 151 more than the maximum safe custody limit of 540 recommended by the Inspector of Prisons in 2009. Prisoners were accommodated in the same beds in the basement of Mountjoy, sleeping head to foot. The Irish Penal Reform Trust, who [...]

The Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) has today expressed deep concern at the resignation of Kathleen McMahon, Governor of the Dóchas Centre.  The issues cited by the Governor on her resignation are worrying in the extreme, and IPRT is calling on both prison management and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to take [...]