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This event will take place in The Law Society of Ireland, Dublin.

Aim and Objectives

This conference is organised by the Law Society Human Rights Committee in partnership with Law Society Professional Training and the Irish Probation Service, with the aim of bringing together legal practitioners, members of the judiciary, members of the public, as well as academics, policy makers, human rights organisations and civil society organisations to explore these issues. An extensive panel discussion and question and answer session will take place following the plenary sessions.

The aim of this year’s conference is to critically explore the role of prison in the Irish criminal justice system, whilst examining the impact that prison has on offenders, their human rights and society as a whole. The Conference offers an important assessment of the function of prison and the social justice issues it may raise including cyclical problems of poverty, unemployment and drug abuse. The objective of the Conference is to provide an incisive analysis of these issues from both social and legal perspectives. It will also allow the audience to engage with the rights considerations around same.

The Annual Human Rights Conference Series
This year marks the 15th anniversary of the Law Society’s Human Rights Committee Annual Conference series. The principal aim of the conference series is to promote awareness of human rights law and practice among both lawyers and the public, and also to encourage consideration of how human rights can be promoted and protected. The Committee is hopeful that the Conference will stimulate and invigorate debate amongst key stakeholders in this area and mobilise any necessary change.

Topics and Issues Covered

• Historical and legal context of prison in society

• Balancing Act? victim and offenders’ rights in the Irish penal system

• Respect and protection of offenders’ rights

• Social and legal implications of prison

• Personal account of life in prison and following release

Chairperson

Shane McCarthy, Chairman of the Human Rights Committee

Speakers – in order of appearance

Minister Charlie Flanagan,TD, Minister for Justice and Equality
Vivian Geiran, Director of the Irish Probation Service
Professor Mary Rogan, Associate Professor in Law, Trinity College Dublin
Joan Deane, Secretary of AdVIC
Deirdre Malone, Executive Director, Irish Penal Reform Trust
Ex-offender, The Saol Project