Prison Law

At KOD Lyons, we endorse fully the views of the Irish Penal Reform Trust (the IPRT) with regard to improving the treatment of prisoners in Ireland as set out in their Mission Statement:

“IPRT is committed to respecting the rights of everyone in the penal system and to reducing imprisonment. We are working towards progressive reform of the penal system based on evidence-led policies and on a commitment to combating social injustice. IPRT will achieve our goals through affecting changes in policy, in practice, in law and through influencing public opinion”.

We represent clients with regard to issues surrounding their imprisonment. Types of work include:

• Dealing with loss of remission and breaches of prison discipline;
• Personal injury actions arising from mistreatment or negligence in custody;
• Making representations to Prison authorities regarding access to education, training, medical treatment and counselling whilst in custody;
• Habeas Corpus applications;
• Applications to transfer foreign prisoners to their home country;
• Advising in relation to parole hearings;
• Compassionate bail applications.
• Particular emphasis on supporting families of prisoners
• Supports for prisoners with particular vulnerabilities including mental health care and other essential social and services

KOD Lyons have led a number of leading and successful challenges to prison and youth justice policies. We instituted an action which sought the closure of St Patrick’s Institution and challenged the single separation/confinement policy of young detainees in the Oberstown centre. We also successfully challenged the remission policy for young offenders which was out of line with the policy adopted for adult prisoners.