Dr Mary Rogan

An associate professor in law at Trinity College Dublin and a qualified barrister, she is one of Ireland’s leading prisons experts, having worked with government bodies and NGOs to improve Irish penal policy.

Commenting on her appointment, Dr Rogan told Irish Legal News: “The IPPF can trace its roots back to the League of Nations and it is an honour and a privilege to be the first woman to become its president.

“Multilateralism and international cooperation have never been more important to overcome the challenges we face now, especially in the field of criminal justice.

“With countries from all around the globe represented in various ways within the IPPF, it is an organisation that can play a key role in supporting research to meet these challenges.”

The IPPF has 25 member states, each represented on its committee by up to three members – one each from the judiciary, the criminal justice and prison administration, and academia.

Dr Rogan said: “This blend of expertise is critical to promoting evidence-based and sound policy in criminal justice. I am very much looking forward to working with IPPF members, fellows, friends, and many others, to achieve these aims.”

Ireland is one of the IPPF’s original members and is currently represented by Dr Rogan, Ms Justice Úna Ní Raifeartaigh, and former Probation Service director Vivian Geiran.

The Irish representatives regularly contribute reports on criminal justice issues in Ireland to IPPF publications, such as its book on overuse in the criminal justice system.

The IPPF hosts colloquiums on criminal justice, one of which was hosted in Ireland in 2011 on the topic of the rehabilitation of people in prison.