IPRT UPCOMING EVENT: Beyond the Record – Spent Convictions & Discrimination

IPRT is delighted to announce that we host Bobby Cummines OBE FRSA of UNLOCK on Tuesday 10^th May, 2011 for a series of events focusing on the obstacles and barriers experienced by those who have a criminal record and who wish to move on in their lives. Ireland currently has neither Spent Convictions legislation nor anti-discrimination legislation applying to former offenders or former prisoners. IPRT welcomes the commitment by the new Government to publish a Spent Convictions Bill by July 2011, and will be working hard this year towards optimum levels of legal protection in the bill and to broaden the agenda for reform in this area.

For more information on Spent Convictions, visit: www.iprt.ie/spent-convictions

Event Details The public forum will take place on Tues 10^th May, 2011 from 5-6.30pm in a Dublin city-centre venue. (Exact details await final confirmation.) The event is free but places are limited. To register for the event, please contact Mary Gaffney at t: 01-8741400 or e: info@iprt.ie or sign up online at: www.iprt.ie/events-signup

Bobby Cummines – biog

Bobby is a leading figure in prison reform and crime reduction in the UK. As Chief Executive of UNLOCK, Bobby has been an expert advisor to the Government and House Of Commons on issues of prison reform and rehabilitation, including the House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee: Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, Specialist Advisor appointed by the Home Secretary, and Member of the Chief Inspector of Prison’s Advisory Group, the House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee on Prisoner Education, and as board member of the NOMS South East Regional Reducing Re-offending Delivery Board.Among his achievements are: establishment of Esteem Insurance to provide a range of insurance products to ex-offenders and individuals living with ex-offenders who face exclusion from the general market; establishment of independent specialist mortgage services for ex-offenders; the establishment of a pilot project with HBOS to provide basic bank accounts to serving prisoners; and he has successfully campaigned with the Penal Reform Trust (UK) against the blanket ban on voting rights for prisoners.Bobby was awarded an OBE in the New Year’s Honours List 2011 for services to reformed offenders. He is also a former offender and prisoner.