Irish Penal Reform Trust

Lobbying Organisation Irish Penal Reform Trust

Date published 20 May, 2020

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Justice and Equality

Period 1 Jan, 2020 to 30 Apr, 2020

Specific Details COVID-19

Intended results Significant reduction of the prison population in light of COVID 19 Promote safe and structured prisoner release through cross-agency working and support, and access to housing Ensure human rights are met for people in prison Ensure equivalence of healthcare for people in prison Minimise impact of restrictions within the prison system, including access to regimes and contact with families

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Fíona Ní Chinnéide, Executive Director

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

Mass communications

Email All TDs Email acknowledging positive actions taken by Minister for Justice and Irish Prison Service in terms of reduction of prison population and measures taken to protect against COVID19 from entering prisons, outlining IPRT's continuing concerns and additional measures that may be necessary. Included IPRT submission on 'Irish prisons and COVID-19: Proposed Measures'.

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Email (6-10)

Phone call (2-5)

Letter (2-5)

Submission (1)

IPRT submission on 'Irish prisons and COVID-19: Proposed Measures' was issued to the Minister for Justice, the Department of Justice and the Irish Prison Service, and later shared with members of the Oireachtas in March 2020. It is informed by emerging international guidance and best practice on responses to COVID19.

Meeting (1)

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)

Oonagh McPhillips Deputy Secretary (Department of Justice and Equality)

Charles Flanagan Minister (Department of Justice and Equality)

Jim O'Callaghan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Roderic O'Gorman TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)