Irish Penal Reform Trust

Lobbying Organisation Irish Penal Reform Trust

Date published 21 Jan, 2022

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Justice and Equality

Period 1 Sep, 2021 to 31 Dec, 2021

Specific Details Engage with Irish Prison Service on the Rights and Needs of Children and Families of Prisoners

Intended results Include families of prisoners within next Irish Prison Service Strategic Plan, and progress work of the Families and Imprisonment Group. Increase and promote family contact (through correspondence, virtual visits and in-person visits). Improve data collection and recording on the number of prisoners who have children, and improve communications for families of prisoners.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Sarahjane McCreery, Senior Policy and Research Officer, and Dr Fiona Donson, Co-Chair of the Action for Children & Families of Prisoners Network

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 (2-5)

Dr Fiona Donson and Sarahjane McCreery wrote to Director General Caron McCaffrey on 11th August 2021, seeking a meeting to discuss the needs of families of prisoners. Follow up letter sent to Mr Fergal Black (following meeting on 7th October), on 5th November 2021, identifying the issues discussed during meeting and noting the Action for Children & Families Network hope that a National Coordinator will be hired soon (with responsibility for devising strategy for children and families of prisoners).

Virtual Meeting (1)

Meeting held between Dr Fiona Donson and Sarahjane McCreery with representatives of the Irish Prison Service, including Mr Fergal Black (Director of Care and Rehabilitation), on 7th October 2021. Items discussed included family contact; improving data collection in this area; and ensuring families are included in the Irish Prison Service Strategic Plans.

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)

Fergal Black Director of Services or Equivalent (Irish Prison Service)

Don Culliton Director of Services or Equivalent (Irish Prison Service)