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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
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Irish Penal Reform Trust
| Other useful organisations | Recommended Reading |
 The
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:
- An
end to the prison building programme.
- The
appointment of a full-time prison inspector.
- No
more prison for fine defaulters.
- The
introduction of drugs courts.
- Improved
induction training for prison officers.
- 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.
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