Irish Penal Reform Trust

Lobbying Organisation Irish Penal Reform Trust

Date published 20 Jan, 2021

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Justice and Equality

Period 1 Sep, 2020 to 31 Dec, 2020

Specific Details Families and Imprisonment

Intended results Highlight impact of Covid-19 related restrictions on children and families of people in prison. Advocate for additional measures in relation to in-person prison visits. Promote the need for improved community supports for children and families affected by parental imprisonment.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Michelle Martyn, Policy & Research Manager

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Letter (1)

Letter to Director General of Irish Prison Service co-signed by IPRT on behalf of network membership of Action for Children and Families of Prisoners, welcoming the introduction of measures to support family contact during Covid-19, and requesting consideration of changes to current in-person visiting arrangements.

Meeting (1)

IPRT raised the need for specific supports for children affected by parental imprisonment with Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Mr Roderic O'Gorman TD, as part of the Prevention & Early Intervention Network AGM 2020.

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Caron McCaffrey Director General (Irish Prison Service)

Roderic O'Gorman Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)