A report from the Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT), entitled Progress in the Penal System (PIPS): a framework for penal reform (2022), was published in 2023.1 PIPS aimed to set out a clear vision for the future of the Irish penal system, taking as its starting point that Ireland, as a small wealthy country, should work towards becoming a leading model of international best penal practice. In total, 28 standards were assessed in 2022, including drug and alcohol treatment.

The report found that there has been no significant change in drug and alcohol treatment in Irish prisons over recent years. Among the key findings was that there is a lack of recent data on the number of prisoners in Ireland with addiction issues and that up-to-date estimates are needed to inform service planning and delivery as well as to demonstrate the interdepartmental response needed. The IPRT strongly welcomed a high-level taskforce recommendation that research be conducted on the prevalence and impact of addiction across the prison estate.

The report noted that the Irish Prison Service drugs policy, Keeping Drugs out of Prison, dates back to 2006.2 Although a new drugs policy has been planned since 2018, finalisation was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

A new policy report is expected to be published in late 2023. The report also stated that alternatives to imprisonment involving access to treatment are needed. The integrated community service model, first piloted in 2016 and rolled out nationally on an incremental basis in 2017, allows one-third of a participant’s community service hours to be used for programmes such as education, training, or treatment.

The programme was due to be evaluated in 2019, but no specific evaluation has been completed to date. Research in 2022 found that while the model is effective in promoting rehabilitation and desistance, low take-up rates and its inconsistent imposition indicate that an evaluation is needed to assess if the sanction is operating to its full potential.3

1    Irish Penal Reform Trust (2023) Progress in the Penal System (PIPS): a framework for penal reform (2022). Dublin: Irish Penal Reform Trust. Available from: https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/38865/

2    Irish Prison Service (2006) Keeping drugs out of prisons: drugs policy and strategy. Dublin: Irish Prison Service. Available from: https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/11662/

3    Kennefick L and Guilfoyle E (2022) An evidence review of community service policy, practice and structure. Dublin: The Probation Service. Available from: https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/37670/