IPRT publishes study on LGBT prisoners

Out on the Inside: The Rights, Experiences and Needs of LGBT People in Prison is authored by Dr Nicola Carr, Dr Siobhán McAlister and Dr Tanya Serisier of Queen’s University Belfast, who carried out the research for IPRT.

The IPRT said it is the “first in-depth study” of LGBT Irish prisoners’ experiences.

The report’s recommendations include that the Irish Prison Service should ensure that the needs of LGBT prisoners are “explicitly considered and addressed as part of overall prisoner management, response and welfare”.

It also said homophobic and transphobic bullying and harassment amongst prisoners should be tackled through a combination of information provision, staff training and clear sanctions for breach of policy.

It identifies sexual health and sexual behaviours in prison, the rights, needs and experiences of young LGBT people within the youth justice system, and sexual violence and coercion within the Irish prison system as areas where further research is necessary.

The report can be downloaded from the IPRT website.