Prison and Detention
Outreach
Mary, Mother of Captives Your Son came to proclaim liberty Soften our captive hearts Hardened by distrust & judgement Give us grace to see the dignity of all The captives, the captors, the survivors, the families By your example, teach us to be gentle Show us how to be restorers of peace & wholeness By your example, teach us the power & disruption of "yes" Show us how to challenge injustice & apathy By your example, teach us the gift of persistent patience Show us how to listen to the unheard, the guilty, the innocent, the forgotten Mother of Captives Inspire us, move us, be with us. Amen.
Image by Jack Pachuta / Prayer by Jarrod Kinkley
UNITED STATES PRISON AND DETENTION irish outreach
The Irish Prison and Detention Outreach (IPDO) Committee is a partnership between the Irish Apostolate USA (IAUSA) and the Irish Council for Prisoners Overseas (ICPO), Maynooth, Ireland.
Mission of Irish Prison and Detention Outreach Committee
The IPDO Committee
§ works to strengthen the level of support provided to incarcerated Irish citizens in prison and those being detained in the United States.
§ seeks to identify issues and trends affecting the clients welfare and to provide resources and other supports wherever possible.
§ Engages with the Coalition of Irish Centers to strengthen proactive networking and to source local prison visiting volunteers to support clients and reduce their levels of isolation.
What we do
Information Sharing and Providing Resources The IPDO recognises the need to increase awareness and understanding about the issues impacting Irish prisoners and detainees in the US. We train, support and equip prison visitors and other suitable groups or individuals interested in addressing the welfare needs of this cohort with prison visiting guidelines and targeted information specifically related to those in prison custody or in Immigration Detention Centers. Information and resource sharing supports and enhances the work undertaken by those who interact with clients and increases the level of current supports provided by the ICPO.
Pastoral Care/Welfare Support Irish clients regularly require additional welfare support due to extended prison sentences, harsh conditions and the absence of family support. Primarily, this support is provided by the ICPO Caseworker. In addition to this assistance, the IPDO Committee members who have established and extensive networks within their own region, as well as across the US, may arrange for additional supports for clients, where appropriate.
Identifying Issues Irish citizens can encounter a range of difficulties throughout their time in prison or detention. The IPDO provides a platform for these issues to be discussed and recommendations made to the ICPO Caseworker, if necessary. This platform ensures that clients receive the necessary support required to reduce the impact of difficulties on their lives, such as lack of social contact or health issues.
IAUSA, in collaboration with ICPO, provide outreach and support for 37 Irish citizens across 14 States in the United States.
If you would like to join in these efforts on behalf of incarcerated and detained Irish citizens in the U.S., CONTACT: the Coordinator of the Irish Apostolate USA
Irish Council for Prisoners Overseas (ICPO) of the Irish Catholic Bishops Conference
There are more than 1,200 Irish citizens in prisons and detention throughout the world. The ICPO has contact with Irish people in prisons in more than twenty countries, stretching from the English-speaking world of the UK, the USA and Australia, to countries such as France, Thailand, Argentina, Egypt and Cuba.
The ICPO has two offices; one located in Maynooth, Co. Kildare, and the other in London. The ICPO London office deals solely with Irish prisoners in England & Wales, while the ICPO Maynooth office assists Irish prisoners detained throughout the rest of the world.
The Irish Council for Prisoners Overseas (ICPO) provides information and support to Irish prisoners overseas and their families.
View our 2023 Strategic Plan and Deliverables Framework here.
Coordinator: Brian Hanley
Administrator: Bernie Martin
Caseworkers: Ian Hanna, Catherine Kenny, Orla Dick, Leslie Alcock
Volunteers: Joan O’Cléirigh, Eileen Boyle, Sr. Anne Sheehy and Betty Wilson
Irish Council for Prisoners Overseas (ICPO)
Columba Centre
Maynooth
Co. Kildare
Ireland
Tel: +353 1 505 3156
Fax: +353 1 629 2363
Website: www.icpo.ie
Email: icpo@iecon.ie
Twitter: @ICPOprisoners
Irish Council for Prisoners Overseas – London Office
Project Manager: Fr Gerry McFlynn
Caseworkers: Breda Power, Liz Power, Declan Ganly
Volunteers
Sr. Moira Keane, Sara Thompson, Sally Murphy
ICPO
50-52 Camden Square
London NW1 9XB
England
Tel: +44 207 482 5528
Fax: +44 207 482 4815
prisoners@irishchaplaincy.org.uk
www.irishchaplaincy.org.uk
Traveller Equality Project
Project Officer: Ellena Costello
50-52 Camden Square
London NW1 9XB
England
Tel: 00 44 20 74 82 55 25
Fax: 00 44 20 74 82 48 15
ellena.costello@irishchaplaincy.org.uk
Q & A with Sr. Imelda Wickham: Insight into the reality of prison life
by Sarah Mac Donald
Presentation Sr. Imelda Wickham followed a call to be with people in prison. She was a prison chaplain for 20 years. Her new book spotlights Ireland's dysfunctional criminal justice system.