Irish Penal Reform Trust

24/08/2026

IPRT is recruiting an Administration, Governance and Membership Officer.

The post offers an excellent opportunity for an ambitious candidate to work in a high profile, dynamic and effective non-governmental organisation. The Administration, Governance and Membership Officer will provide general administrative support to the office and help to ensure compliance with relevant governance.

IPRT is an equal opportunities employer, and we welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds as well as from people with criminal records. We don’t ask for information about convictions during the recruitment process.

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Monday 14 September 2026

Check the link below for more information:
https://irish-penal-reform-trust.hirehive.com/administration-governance-and-membership-officer-dublin-8IwGuF

21/08/2026

We’re delighted to welcome Arron Claffey‑Conneely as our new Policy Officer.

Arron brings experience across research, lecturing and student support, with a background in psychology, sociology and community development. He has worked on chronic pain research at NUI Galway and more recently in lecturing and student support roles with Equal Ireland/ATU.

Check out Arron’s full profile on our website:
https://www.iprt.ie/who-we-are/iprt-staff/

20/08/2026

Niamh McCormack, IPRT Legal and Public Affairs Manager and author of the Rethinking Remand report, highlights IPRT’s concerns about the disproportionate use of remand for people experiencing homelessness, mental illness, addiction and poverty — often in cases involving minor offences.

''The system at moment is under so much strain, and the remand system is performing a safety valve for all the other social issues that are not being addressed in health, education and housing ... you have people who are ending up in prison simply because there's nowhere else for them to go''.

18/08/2026

WE'RE HIRING!

IPRT is recruiting an Administration, Governance and Membership Officer.

The post offers an excellent opportunity for an ambitious candidate to work in a high profile, dynamic and effective non-governmental organisation. The Administration, Governance and Membership Officer will provide general administrative support to the office and help to ensure compliance with relevant governance.

IPRT is an equal opportunities employer, and we welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds as well as from people with criminal records. We don’t ask for information about convictions during the recruitment process.

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Monday 14 September 2026

Check the link below for more information: https://irish-penal-reform-trust.hirehive.com/administration-governance-and-membership-officer-dublin-8IwGuF

18/08/2026

Anne Costello from the Traveller Justice Initiative (TJI), hosted by IPRT, visited Balbriggan Travellers Project last week to meet with the Primary Health Care team. Anne spoke about the significant over-representation of Travellers in the criminal justice system and TJI’s work to influence policy and practice to improve outcomes for Travellers involved in the criminal justice system and their families.

Anne also met with participants on the QQI Understanding Mental Health course to explore the links between mental health and involvement in the criminal justice system. The discussion looked at how mental health difficulties can contribute to people coming into contact with the criminal justice system, the impact that imprisonment can have on a person’s mental health, and the challenges people may face when returning to their community after prison.

The group also discussed the important role Traveller organisations can play in supporting Travellers involved in the criminal justice system, as well as providing support to their families.

17/08/2026

If you missed yesterday’s Brendan O’Connor Show on RTÉ Radio 1, it’s worth tuning in. There was a really thoughtful discussion on the value of the Community Return scheme and why properly‑resourced community‑based sanctions matter.

Louise Bayliss, Head of Social Justice and Policy at St Vincent de Paul, highlighted IPRT’s 2025 report and spoke powerfully about the impact of imprisonment on families and children. As she put it: “Prisons are a failed institution. When people are a danger to society, they should be locked away. But if we use it as purely punishment, who are we actually punishing?” Her comments echo what IPRT research has shown for years — that short prison sentences do little to reduce crime and often deepen the very disadvantages that bring people into contact with the justice system.

Community‑based sanctions, when properly funded, allow people to give back to society, maintain family ties, and address the underlying issues that drive offending. They are also significantly more cost‑effective than custody and deliver better outcomes for communities.

A worthwhile listen for anyone interested in evidence‑led approaches to justice and safer communities.

Listen back (timestamp at 17:25):

Joining Brendan to discuss the top stories in Sunday’s newspapers are: farmer & presenter of Ear to the Ground, Darragh McCullough; Columnist with the Irish Daily Mail and Sunday Independent, Brenda Power; Law Lecturer at NUI Galway, Larry Donnelly; Head of Social Justice and Policy at SVP, Louise...

14/08/2026

In this interview with Claire Brock on the David McCullagh show on RTE Radio 1, IPRT CEO Saoirse Brady, discusses the value of community-based sanctions and the need to reduce unnecessary imprisonment.

With prisons facing severe overcrowding, we need to look at alternatives to custody wherever it is safe and appropriate to do so.

Reducing the use of short prison sentences can help ease pressure on an already overcrowded prison system.

This is central to our Rethinking Remand report, which calls for greater use of community alternatives and a reduction in the use of pre-trial detention.

Listen back: https://lnkd.in/eb3TBUEY

13/08/2026

IPRT's letter in The Irish Times yesterday highlights the need for evidence-based reform of criminal legal aid and a broader examination of the systemic issues affecting the administration of justice.

Read more:

Irish Penal Reform Trust disappointed by apparent lack of nuance in public debate on criminal legal aid

11/08/2026

Following the launch of our Rethinking Remand report, we're sharing a short highlight video from the event.

Despite the legal presumption in favour of bail, increasing numbers of people are being held on remand—often for minor offences and disproportionately from marginalised communities. It's time to rethink remand and invest in fairer, evidence-based alternatives that protect rights, reduce prison overcrowding, and strengthen our justice system.

11/08/2026

Following the launch of our Rethinking Remand report, we're sharing a short highlight video from the event.

Despite the legal presumption in favour of bail, increasing numbers of people are being held on remand—often for minor offences and disproportionately from marginalised communities. It's time to rethink remand and invest in fairer, evidence-based alternatives that protect rights, reduce prison overcrowding, and strengthen our justice system.

Watch the video here:

On 20 July 2026, IPRT launched Rethinking Remand An assessment of p...