Tuesday 10 May, 2011 from 5-6.30 pm in Pearse St Library, 138-144 Pearse St, Dublin 2.
Ireland is the only country in the EU, and one of very few in the Council of Europe, that does not have 'Spent Convictions' legislation, which allows for the expungement of criminal records for certain minor offences after remaining conviction-free for a specified period of time*. Having a criminal record can be a barrier to employment, education and training, travel, banking, insurance and more. In effect, this means that in Ireland punishment lasts a lifetime - no matter how minor the offence, no matter how long after the sanction (whether a fine, a community service order or a period of imprisonment) has been discharged.
IPRT welcomes the commitment by the new Government to publish a Spent Convictions Bill by July 2011. To raise awareness around the issues facing those who want to move on from their offending past, and to broaden the agenda for reform in this area, IPRT will host a Public Forum on 10 May, 2011. The Forum will hear from Bobby Cummines, Chief Executive of UNLOCK, the National Association of Reformed Offenders in the UK, and a panel responding from the Irish perspective. We are particularly interested in hearing from those who have experienced barriers through having a conviction.
Please click here for more details about the event, including a biography of Bobby Cummines OBE.
The event is free but places are limited so early registration is advised.
Please RSVP by Friday 6 May 2011 here.
Alternatively, contact Mary at info@iprt.ie or tel: 01-8741400.