Oireachtas committee hears from penal reform group

Fíona Ní Chinnéide, acting executive director, and Michelle Martyn, senior research and policy project manager, highlighted the conditions of Irish prisons and prisoners to the committee.

They called for a clear Government commitment to evidence-informed policy in order to have a more effective justice system.

Speaking ahead of the meeting yesterday, committee chairperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said: “The Irish Penal Reform Trust is a non-governmental organisation campaigning for rights in the penal system and the progressive reform of Irish penal policy.

“Tomorrow we will discuss a number of issues around prisons, penal policy and sentencing with the representatives from the Irish Penal Reform Trust. It is an opportunity to consider the Irish penal system, examine reforms that have been put in place in recent years and discuss what further changes and reforms may be desirable.”