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Travellers are hugely over-represented in Irish prisons, representing ~0.6% of the general population, but 10% (male) and 22% (female) of the prison pop. As well as over-representation, Travellers also face unique barriers to participation in prison. 1/ #TravellerAndRomaDay2020
Our 2014 report 'Travellers in the Irish Prison System' found that literacy issues act as a barrier to accessing information, communicating with loved ones, and even impact applying for temporary release and making complaints. 2/ #TravellerAndRomaDay2020
https://www.iprt.ie/site/assets/files/6339/iprt_travellers_report_web.pdf
https://www.iprt.ie/site/assets/files/6339/iprt_travellers_report_web.pdf
The percentage of Travellers in solitary confinement in Irish prisons is not currently published. However, international research on solitary confinement finds that ethnic minorities are likely to be over-represented. 3/ #TravellerAndRomaDay2020 https://www.iprt.ie/site/assets/files/6439/solitary_confinement_web.pdf
The barriers faced by Travellers in the Irish prison system are unique, and need to be met with a dedicated strategy and culturally sensitive responses which address disproportionate outcomes between Travellers and other prisoners. 4/ #TravellerAndRomaDay2020
However, there have been progressive developments in supporting Travellers in the prison system in Ireland. Some of these are detailed in Standard 32 of IPRT’s 2019 PIPs report: https://pips.iprt.ie/progress-in-the-penal-system-pips/part-2-measuring-progress-against-the-standards/e-safety-and-protection-in-irish-prisons/32-cohorts-of-prisoners-at-risk-of-discrimination/ 5/ #TravellerAndRomaDay2020
IPRT continues to stand in solidarity with the Traveller and Roma community. Congrats to our friends in @PaveePoint for their incredible work on #TravellerAndRomaDay2020 
