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
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
Intent: To highlight Law Society priority issues and draw attention to other items of interest in the areas of legislative, regulatory and structural reform
Intent: On 26 October 2018, IPRT launched Progress in the Penal System 2018 (or 'PIPS 2018'), the second in a series of annual reports benchmarking progress in Ireland's penal system. The report provides a comprehensive analysis of progress within the last 12 months in meeting human rights in the Irish penal system. At the launch reform of practice and policy was urged in a wide range of areas related to criminal justice with a particular focus on mental health,staffing, and female prisoners.
Email invites to key stakeholders on 11 October 2018 - EmailLaunch of Report on 26 October 2018 including presentations urging reform of the current penal practice, procedures and policies. Full report content available online at www.iprt.ie/contents/3360 - Event / Reception
Intent: A number of recommendations were made, and are accessible at https://www.lawsociety.ie/Solicitors/Representation/Submissions/::Key submissions related to (1) the nature of parole, (2) Membership of the Parole Board, (3) Conduct of parole hearings, (4) Eligibility for parole, (5) Monitoring of compliance, (6) Issues surrounding variation or discharge of a Parole Order, (7) Issues relating to warrants and (8) Issues relating to reviews and hearings.
Details: Second Law Society submission to the Parole Bill 2016
Launch event of Progress on the Penal System Report held in IHREC - Event / ReceptionTargeted letters to DPOs highlighting sections of the Progress on the Penal System Report relevant to their area of work - Letterinformation event on Progress in the Penal System Report held in Leinster House - Event / Reception
Intent: Ensure joined up thinking across the local authorities of County Dublin and Greater Dublin Area.::Development of a long-term strategy for the promotion of the region. Recognition of Dublin's vital role as a driver of national economic growth.::Promote city regions as the drivers of economic growth where investment in infrastructure will yield the highest return for the exchequer.::Coordinate urban consolidation on a regional basis.::Raise urban density and height requirements::Link urban planning permissions to density targets
Details: Seek the enactment of the Dublin Chamber's recommendations for the National Planning Framework.
Directed tweets were used to communicate policy positions to specific DPOs regarding the Dublin Chamber's policy recommendations for the National Planning Framework. - Social MediaEmails sent to DPOs regarding the Dublin Chamber's policy recommendations for the National Planning Framework. - EmailMeetings were held with DPOs regarding the Chamber's policy recommendations for the National Planning Framework. - Meeting
Intent: Commitment to ratify OPCAT (Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture)::Ensure adequate resourcing and powers of the Office of the Inspector of Prisons
Details: Advocating for measures to ensure robust accountability and oversight of Irish prisons
Letter to Assistant Secretary of the Department of Justice & Equality requesting information updates on progress towards establishment of an independent prisoner complaints mechanism and reform of the Prison Visiting Committees, and advocating for the strengthening of the powers and adequate resourcing of the Office of Inspector of Prisons, and early ratification of the OPCAT. - Letter
Intent: To promote the establishment of a fully independent Parole Board on a statutory basis.::To raise potential issues and opportunities around the Private Member's Bill, Parole Bill 2016.
Details: Parole Bill 2016 and the need for parole reform in Ireland.
Invitations to attend the events (seminar and meeting). - EmailPresentation by IPRT Exec Director Deirdre Malone on need for parole reform as part of Oireachtas All-Party Penal Reform Group Seminar hosted by Senator Ivana Bacik on 6th Oct 2016. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan TD also presented on the topic of his Private Member's Bill, the Parole Bill 2016. - Event / ReceptionRoundtable meeting hosted by IPRT on 6th Oct 2016 with interested academics, members of the Parole Board, Dept of Justice and Equality officials, and IPRT to discuss issues, opportunities and concerns around the Parole Bill 2016 and the establishment of a fully independent Parole Board on a statutory basis. - Meeting
