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Irish Penal Reform Trust @irishpenalreform.bsky.social · 15h

#Budget2026 Welcome boost for Probation, but prison expansion won’t solve overcrowding.
Over 5,500 people in prisons built for 4,675. 499 sleeping on mattresses.
Real reform means investing in community sanctions, not more cells. Read our full statement: bit.ly/439BNNY

Irish Penal Reform Trust @irishpenalreform.bsky.social · 5d

We also welcomed the requirement for Judges to give reasons for choosing custody over a community-based sanction. #lawreform #penalreform #justicereform #communitysanctions

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Irish Penal Reform Trust @irishpenalreform.bsky.social · 5d

Key points we highlighted from our June submission:
- Oppose incapacitant sprays in prisons - human rights concerns & no proof they reduce violence.
- Support expanding community service orders as alternatives to short prison sentences.
#PrisonReform #CommunitySanctions

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Irish Penal Reform Trust @irishpenalreform.bsky.social · 5d

Earlier this week, IPRT’s Saoirse Brady and Niamh McCormack appeared before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice to discuss the General Scheme: Criminal Law & Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025. Watch recording here: bit.ly/472n3CX
#justicereform

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Irish Penal Reform Trust @irishpenalreform.bsky.social · 8d

Key points from our June 2025 submission on the bill:
-Oppose incapacitant sprays in prisons on human rights grounds.
- Support expansion of community service orders.
Read IPRT's full submission here: bit.ly/48I4cyh

Submission by the Irish Penal Reform Trust on the General Sche...

The IPRT welcomes the opportunity to make a submission on the General Scheme of the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025. Thi...

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Irish Penal Reform Trust @irishpenalreform.bsky.social · 8d

Today @ 3 PM, Saoirse Brady and Niamh McCormack of IPRT are speaking before the Justice, Home Affairs & Migration Committee on the Criminal Law & Civil Law (Misc Provisions) Bill.
Watch live here: bit.ly/472n3CX
@saoirse-b.bsky.social #criminallaw #penalreform #humanrights #prisonreform

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Irish Penal Reform Trust @irishpenalreform.bsky.social · 13d

Huge thanks to our speakers for their insights:
Mark Kelly, Chief Inspector of Prisons
MaryRogan, Professor in Law, Trinity College Dublin
Rebecca Keatinge, @rebeccakeatinge.bsky.social
Head of Compliance and Monitoring, IHREC.

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Irish Penal Reform Trust @irishpenalreform.bsky.social · 13d

Overcrowding is a major issue in Irish prisons, but it reflects wider penal policy challenges. As Mark Kelly said: “No comparable jurisdiction has managed to build its way out of an overcrowding crisis.” #PrisonOvercrowding #CPTIreland2025

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Irish Penal Reform Trust @irishpenalreform.bsky.social · 13d

- A proper complaints system is needed — one that protects prisoners from the risk of reprisals.
-Effective human-rights-based monitoring is needed across all settings where someone may be deprived of liberty, including Garda custody, nursing homes, immigration detention.

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Irish Penal Reform Trust @irishpenalreform.bsky.social · 13d

- Strong, independent oversight is essential, with the mandate to publish inspection reports.
- Mentally ill people in Irish prisons are not receiving adequate treatment, and some are placed in conditions that worsen their situation. #cpt2025 #CPTReport #CPTIreland2025

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Irish Penal Reform Trust @irishpenalreform.bsky.social · 13d

Yesterday, IPRT hosted a well-attended panel discussion, chaired by
@saoirse_b
on the report of the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) on its official visit to Ireland. Some key takeaways from the discussion 👇
#CPTIreland2025 #CPT2025

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Irish Penal Reform Trust @irishpenalreform.bsky.social · 13d

Huge thanks to our speakers for their insights:
Mark Kelly, Chief Inspector of Prisons
Mary Rogan, Professor in Law, Trinity College Dublin
Rebecca Keatinge @rebeccakeatinge.bsky.social, Head of Compliance and Monitoring, IHREC.

Irish Penal Reform Trust @irishpenalreform.bsky.social · 13d

Overcrowding is a major issue in Irish prisons, but it reflects wider penal policy challenges. As Mark Kelly said: “No comparable jurisdiction has managed to build its way out of an overcrowding crisis.” #PrisonOvercrowding #CPTIreland2025

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Irish Penal Reform Trust @irishpenalreform.bsky.social · 13d

- A proper complaints system is needed — one that protects prisoners from the risk of reprisals.
-Effective human-rights-based monitoring is needed across all settings where someone may be deprived of liberty, including Garda custody, nursing homes, immigration detention. #CPTIreland2025

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Irish Penal Reform Trust @irishpenalreform.bsky.social · 13d

- Strong, independent oversight is essential, with the mandate to publish inspection reports.
- Mentally ill people in Irish prisons are not receiving adequate treatment, and some are placed in conditions that worsen their situation. #cpt2025 #CPTReport #CPTIreland2025

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Irish Penal Reform Trust @irishpenalreform.bsky.social · 13d

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Irish Penal Reform Trust @irishpenalreform.bsky.social · 13d

Yesterday, IPRT hosted a well-attended panel discussion, chaired by @saoirse_b on the report of the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) on its official visit to Ireland. Some key takeaways from the discussion 👇
#CPTIreland2025 #CPT2025

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Irish Penal Reform Trust @irishpenalreform.bsky.social · 14d

Join us this afternoon as experts reflect on the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) report following its official visit to Ireland. Watch live:
www.youtube.com/live/5BOo_YO...
#CPTReport #CPTIreland2025

IPRT Event - Panel Discussion 24 September 2025

YouTube video by Irish Penal Reform Trust

www.youtube.com

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Irish Penal Reform Trust @irishpenalreform.bsky.social · 22d

Ireland’s prisons are at 120% capacity — with almost 500 people sleeping on the floor.
IPRT’s #Budget2026 submission calls for investment in mental health, alternatives to prison & reintegration, not more prison beds.
Read full submission here: bit.ly/4n5qVJ3

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Irish Penal Reform Trust @irishpenalreform.bsky.social · 23d

IPRT’s Saoirse Brady spoke with Darren J. Prior on Near FM about Ireland’s prison system, why prison should not always be the answer to less serious crime, and how community service & restorative justice can build safer communities. 🎧 bit.ly/4gyrxVi

Prisons today. Alternative sentences for most prisoners? - Saoirse Brady, The IPRT - Near FM (2025)

I did this pretty comprehensive interview with Saoirse Brady the Executive Director of The Irish Penal Reform Trust talking about the state of our prison system in Ireland today; alternatives for the majority of prisoners - the majority of prisoners are sentenced to no more than 1 year in prison for individual sentences - and how a positive society in general is needed to end crime and the for many connected issue of addictions. Near FM, 11 September 2025.

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Irish Penal Reform Trust @irishpenalreform.bsky.social · 26d

More spaces results in more people being imprisoned (Whittaker Report, 1985).
Overcrowding reduces access to vital services.
3 in 4 committals were for less than 1 year meaning little chance for assessment or rehab. Real solutions must respect dignity & rights.

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Irish Penal Reform Trust @irishpenalreform.bsky.social · 26d

Saoirse Brady joined the Claire Byrne Show on
@RTERadio1
to discuss the crisis of prison overcrowding. We cannot build our way out of this – prison expansion is not the answer.
Listen back (Saoirse from 54:23–56:25): bit.ly/3In0cIR
#overcrowding #humanrights

Today With Claire Byrne Friday 12 September 2025

Mid-morning show with Claire Byrne featuring stories of the day, sharp analysis and features.

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Irish Penal Reform Trust @irishpenalreform.bsky.social · 29d

Real solutions lie in:
Expanding probation + community sanctions
Strengthening mental health + addiction services
Ensuring prison is the sanction of last resort
#penalreform #prisonreform #humanrights

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Irish Penal Reform Trust @irishpenalreform.bsky.social · 29d

This follows her News at One interview last week, responding to the
@IrishPrisons
Annual Report. The message is clear: Ireland cannot build its way out of the overcrowding crisis.

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Irish Penal Reform Trust @irishpenalreform.bsky.social · 29d

CYMI: Our Executive Director, Saoirse Brady, told RTÉ Six One News on 04/09 that prison overcrowding + people forced to sleep on mattresses are a breach of human dignity + fundamental rights. bit.ly/4n66E60 (From 33:55)

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