Irish Penal Reform Trust

Lobbying Organisation Irish Penal Reform Trust

Date published 21 Sep, 2021

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Justice and Equality

Period 1 May, 2021 to 31 Aug, 2021

Specific Details Mental Health, Addictions and Imprisonment

Intended results Flag key issues arising in regards the treatment of people with mental health and addiction issues who end up in contact with the criminal justice system. Highlight importance of diversion of people with mental health and addiction needs away from prison. Promote consideration of “trauma-informed" approaches to services. Outline the benefits of transferring the responsibility of prison healthcare to the national health service. Provide IPRT's initial observations on the High Level Taskforce Terms of Reference.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Molly Joyce, Legal & Public Affairs Manager and 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

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Virtual Meeting (1)

Attended meeting of High Level Taskforce, to present IPRT's initial observations on the Taskforce's Terms of Reference; make suggestions as to how the Taskforce might best approach its work; and flag key issues arising for people with mental health and addiction problems who end up in contact with the criminal justice system.

Email (2-5)

Emails exchanged with secretariat of High Level Taskforce in advance of meeting and post-meeting, enclosing copies of IPRT presentation and detailed script of remarks made during the presentation.

Meeting (1)

Meeting with Director of the Probation Service, Mark Wilson to discuss relevant issues from probation perspective.

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.

Mark Wilson Director (Probation Service)