Laois event aims to start a national conversation on crime and punishment

Fr Peter McVerry will be among guests hoping to start a national conversation on crime and punishment at an upcoming event in Porarlington. 

Mount St Anne’s Retreat and Conference Centre in Portarlington is hosting the conversation which will be open to the public on Tuesday, May 24.

The event is seeking to explore the issues raised in Imelda Wickham’s recently published book, ‘Unheard Voices: Reflections of a Prison Chaplain’. It calls on communities to engage in dialogue in an effort to find new and creative ways of developing a more humane and holistic justice system. The event will afford an opportunity for all who are interested in this topic to share their views and ideas.

‘Unheard Voices: Reflections of a Prison Chaplain’ calls for a national conversation to explore new and creative ways of responding to the issue of crime and punishment where all voices are heard.

In conversation with Imelda Wickhan, pbvm—former prison chaplain and founder of New Directions, a support service for the families of people in prison, will include guests like UCD Professor of Criminology, Ian O'Donnell whose latest book ‘Prison Life’ will be published at the end of 2022, Seán Duggan—Head of Chaplaincy Services, Seán has a specialist research interest in human rights in the penal context and Fr Peter McVerry, SJ—a priest in Inner City Dublin and founder of the Peter McVerry Trust.

The event begins with Tea/Coffee at 7pm.  Booking is essential: Email: [email protected] to confirm attendance by May 17.