Irish Penal Reform Trust

Lobbying Organisation Irish Penal Reform Trust

Date published 21 May, 2023

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Justice and Equality

Period 1 Jan, 2023 to 30 Apr, 2023

Specific Details Engagement with key stakeholders on issue of women in prison and specifically maternal imprisonment.

Intended results To inform key stakeholders and key politicians of IPRT report on 'Maternal Imprisonment in Ireland: A Scoping Study', the particular challenges facing women in prison and the recommended IPRT actions in this area.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Molly Joyce, Acting 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.

Event / Reception (1)

On 13 March 2023, IPRT's Acting Executive Director attended an IPS event at the Dochas Female Prison (in Dublin) on the topic of maternal imprisonment and spoke with both Director General of Irish Prison Service and Secretary General of Department of Justice on IPRT concerns in this area as well as upcoming planned work on women in prison (through IPRT's annual 'Progress in the Penal System' report).

Email (31-50)

IPRT's Acting Executive Director, Molly Joyce, emailed range of key stakeholders to inform them of IPRT launch of report on 'Maternal Imprisonment in Ireland: A Scoping Study' on 2 March 2023 and make them aware of key IPRT recommendations in this area.

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.

Ben Ryan Assistant Secretary (Department of Justice)

Oonagh McPhillips Secretary General (Department of Justice)

Mark Wilson Director (Probation Service)

Caron McCaffrey Director General (Irish Prison Service)

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