Lobbying Records (Page 1 of 1)
Irish Penal Reform Trust
2025-01-21
Intent: Implementation of the Prison Overcrowding Response Group recommendations and to inform the work of the Future of Prison Capacity Working Group to address the prison overcrowding crisis and implement existing progressive policy particularly around reducing the number of people imprisoned for short periods and refocus resources on community-based alternatives and preventative measures.
Details: Highlight recommendations of Prison Overcrowding Response Group and inform work of subsequent Future Prison Capacity Working Group
Officials: Helen McEntee, Deirdre McDonnell, Don Culliton
Methods: Wrote to Minister of Justice on 16 October 2024 asking her to implement Prison Overcrowding Response Group's key recommendations, particularly legislative measures including changes to eligibility for Temporary Release and parole, incorporating the principle of prison as a sanction of last resort in law and progressing the Criminal Justice (Community Sanctions) Bill 2014. Also engagement with the judiciary in an appropriate manner which respects their independence in relation to short sentences. - Letter, Asked Senator Lynn Ruane to highlight the Prison Overcrowding Response Group report in the Seanad. - Phone call, Executive Director presented to Working Group on Future Prison Capacity on 5 November 2024 calling for reduction in prison capacity through alternative measures, ensuring policy decisions are evidence-informed and based on robust data, ensuring that capacity planning is human rights based and the need to take a long-term approach to future proofing the prison system by reducing imprisonment rates and redirecting resources to social services, health treatment and community based sanctions. - Meeting, ...
Irish Penal Reform Trust
2023-05-21
Intent: To make key officials in the Irish Prison Service aware of challenges facing children/families of prisoners, and suggested solutions for addressing these issues.
Details: Engagement with Irish Prison Service on the issue of children/families impacted by imprisonment and the importance of family contact for prisoners
Officials: Fergal Black, Caron McCaffrey, Don Culliton
Methods: IPRT's Acting Executive Director, Molly Joyce, and Children & Families Coordinator, Ashling Tobin, met with IPS Director of Care & Rehabilitation (and colleagues) on 13 January and 18 April 2023 to communicate concerns from members of the Action for Children & Families Network and explore ways in which the IPS might address concerns. Issues discussed included: family visiting hours for prisons; facilities for children with additional needs; and access to phone/video calls. - Virtual Meeting, Following both of the above meetings, IPRT's Children & Families Coordinator, Ashling Tobin, wrote to senior staff within IPS to specifically follow up on Network members' concerns, including to the IPS Director of Operations (on the issue of security measures within prisons and the impact on families) and IPS Director General (on prison visiting times for families). - Letter
Irish Penal Reform Trust
2022-01-21
Intent: Promote awareness of the development of sentencing guidelines in Ireland::Advocate for the principle of imprisonment as a last resort to be enshrined in legislation
Details: Sentencing and Sentencing Guidelines in Ireland
Officials: Oonagh McPhillips, Ben Ryan, Barry Ward, Brendan Howlin, Caron McCaffrey, Claire Loftus, Don Culliton, Fergal Black, ...
Methods: Invitation to IPRT Prison Law Seminar on 'Developing Sentencing Guidelines for Ireland: The Principles and Purposes of Sentencing', which took place on Thursday 21st October 2021 (via Zoom). Speakers and respondents included: The Hon. Ms. Justice Iseult O’Malley, Chair of the Sentencing Guidelines and Information Committee, who provided the keynote speech; Sheriff Principal Craig Turnbull, Sheriff Principal of Glasgow and Strathkelvin and Member of the Scottish Sentencing Council; Professor Michael Tonry, McKnight Presidential Professor of Criminal Law and Policy at the University of Minnesota; Dr Ian Marder, Assistant Professor in Criminology at Maynooth University; Noeline Blackwell, Chief Executive Officer at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre; and Molly Joyce, Legal & Public Affairs Manager at IPRT. - Event / Reception
Irish Penal Reform Trust
2022-01-21
Intent: Include families of prisoners within next Irish Prison Service Strategic Plan, and progress work of the Families and Imprisonment Group.::Increase and promote family contact (through correspondence, virtual visits and in-person visits).::Improve data collection and recording on the number of prisoners who have children, and improve communications for families of prisoners.
Details: Engage with Irish Prison Service on the Rights and Needs of Children and Families of Prisoners
Officials: Caron McCaffrey, Fergal Black, Don Culliton
Methods: Dr Fiona Donson and Sarahjane McCreery wrote to Director General Caron McCaffrey on 11th August 2021, seeking a meeting to discuss the needs of families of prisoners. Follow up letter sent to Mr Fergal Black (following meeting on 7th October), on 5th November 2021, identifying the issues discussed during meeting and noting the Action for Children & Families Network hope that a National Coordinator will be hired soon (with responsibility for devising strategy for children and families of prisoners). - Letter, Meeting held between Dr Fiona Donson and Sarahjane McCreery with representatives of the Irish Prison Service, including Mr Fergal Black (Director of Care and Rehabilitation), on 7th October 2021. Items discussed included family contact; improving data collection in this area; and ensuring families are included in the Irish Prison Service Strategic Plans. - Virtual Meeting