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Prison Conditions

Women in Prison

Political Prisoners:
an overview

Sex Offenders

Drugs

Prison Staff

Irish Penal Reform Trust

Restorative Justice:
The way forward?

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Other useful organisations:

Irish Council for Civil Liberties
Dominick Court,
41 Lower Dominick St, Dublin 1
T: +353 1 878 3136
F: +353 1 878 3109
iccl@iol.ie

Irish Commission for Justice and Peace
169 Booterstown Av,
Blackrock, Co. Dublin
T: +353 1 288 5021
F: +353 1 283 4161
icjp@tinet.ie

Irish Commission for Prisoners Overseas
57 Parnell Sq. West,
Dublin 1
T: +353 1 872 2511
F: +353 1 872 3343
icpo@iol.ie

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform
72 St Stephen's Green,
Dublin 2
T: +353 1 602 8202
F: +353 1 661 5461
info@justice.ie

irish penal reform trust  

Irish Penal Reform Trust

| Other useful organisations | Recommended Reading |

IPRT logoThe mission of the Irish Penal Reform Trust is to campaign for the creation of a more rational and humane penal system, to promote constructive approaches to offenders, and in every way to increase respect for human rights.

The Trust's work is rooted in the following principles and values:

  • The Irish penal system should reflect the fact that we are a modern democracy and should be defined by principles of dignity and justice. Decision-making in the penal system should be characterised byaccountability and transparency. The way we treat offenders at present is far too frequently shameful, whereas it should be a matter of national pride.

  • Imprisonment can be damaging to individuals and socially divisive. It should be used sparingly. On those occasions where a prison sentence cannot be avoided, every effort must be made to minimise the pains of confinement and prepare prisoners for release.

  • There is an urgent need to make available a wide range of alternatives to custody which are effective and constructive and focus on social relations, education and training.

  • Irish citizens are entitled to good quality data about the operation of the criminal justice system so that they can arrive at informed opinions about penal policy. The response to crime should be guided by the findings of good quality research. Without a sound knowledge base it is impossible to devise effective interventions.

  • Crime must be seen in a social context. The great majority of those who appear before our courts are marginalised, poor and multiply disadvantaged. Any serious attempt to protect the community from criminal behaviours must focus on the causes of crime and give due attention to crime prevention. Conversely, we must not ignore the crimes of the powerful.

  • Crime is a violation of relationships between people. It blights the lives of victims, offenders and the wider community. The penal system should provide a balanced response to the needs of all parties. Its aim should be to mend the broken lives of offenders and repair the harm done to victims and the community.

The work of the Trust involves raising public awareness of what is wrong with our penal system and how it can be fixed, as well as carrying out research and political lobbying. Our voice is raised against public apathy and the politics of 'zero tolerance'. Current priorities are to call for:

  1. An end to the prison building programme.
  2. The appointment of a full-time prison inspector.
  3. No more prison for fine defaulters.
  4. The introduction of drugs courts.
  5. Improved induction training for prison officers.
  6. Restorative justice to be part of any new crime policy.

This work is difficult and unpopular and its success depends on constant fund-raising and the energy and commitment of our members. New recruits are very welcome! The annual fee for individuals is £20 (£10 for students, pensioners and the unemployed). Members receive our newsletter, Penal Reform News, copies of position papers, and discounted rates for conferences and seminars.

For details of membership, publications and events please contact: The Administrator,
Irish Penal Reform Trust
Dominick Court, 41 Lower Dominick Street,
Dublin 1
Phone: +353 1 872 0344
Fax: +353 1 872 0399
info@penal-reform.ie

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— Recommended Reading

Ivana Bacik and Michael O'Connell (1998)
Crime and Poverty in Ireland
This book demonstrates the way in which economic factors underpin the workings of the criminal justice system at every level. It shows the impact of poverty on patterns of offending in Ireland.

John Brewer, Bill Lockhart and Paula Rodgers (1997)
Crime in Ireland 1945-95
This book compares trends in crime north and south of the border. It contains interview data which provide a fascinating insight into people's experiences of crime, the police and paramilitary organisations.

Committee of Inquiry into the Penal System (1985)
Whitaker Report
This is a root and branch review of the shortcomings in facilities and services for prisoners, the inadequacy and unsuitability of much prison accommodation, and the escalating costs of custody. It is as relevant today as it was when first published fourteen years ago.

Marsha Hunt (1999)
The Junk Yard: Voices From an Irish Prison
This collection of prisoners' writings dramatically illustrates the overlap between heroin use, crime, and courage in the face of overwhelming adversity. The stories in this book are painful reminders of how our society has failed to protect the vulnerable.

National Crime Forum (1998)
Report
This report resulted from a long process of consultation and discussion. It provides key insights into the mood of the public regarding crime and punishment. It will be the basis of a white paper on crime and is intended to pave the way for a crime council.

Paul O'Mahony (1997)
Mountjoy Prisoners: A Sociological and Criminological Profile
This book presents the results of a detailed survey which focused on prisoners' social and family backgrounds, health status (especially substance abuse), criminal and penal histories, and experiences of life in prison.

A Criminal System: The Causes and Treatment of Crime (1999) This is a special issue of the journal, Studies: An Irish Quarterly Review. It contains a wide range of articles dealing with the modern criminal justice system and the structural constraints which prevent it from operating effectively and efficiently.

 

 
  Calypso Productions
South Great George's Street
Dublin 2, Ireland
phone (353 1) 6704539
fax (353 1) 6704275
calypso@tinet.ie

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