The Probation Service

Staff from the Probation Service joined colleagues from across the Justice Department for the Justice Sector Innovation Conference 2024, held at Croke Park this month. The Justice Sector Innovation Conference was an opportunity to reflect on the progress of the Justice Innovation Strategy and to meet with colleagues driving innovation forward. The conference, held against the joyous backdrop of the Cumann na mBunscol Dublin football finals, was a lovely opportunity to connect, share, and learn about the wide range of work undertaken by colleagues. Speakers discussed how they are developing new tools to enhance their work across complex areas within the criminal justice sector to support a diverse array of clients. Thanks to the Department of Justice for organising the event, which featured insightful and inspiring keynote addresses from Dr Stephanie O’Keefe, CEO of Cuan, the Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (DSGBV) Agency, and Mark Finlay, Head of Public Sector for Amazon Web Services, who provided an in-depth look at Amazon’s leadership principles as well as a number of in-depth Q&As showcasing the innovative strategies, teamwork and leadership across all areas of the Department.

🎧 Episode 5 of On Probation with Colm O'Regan is out today. In our fifth episode, Colm takes a road trip to the south east to visit Treo Port Lairge CLG, a Community Based Organisation funded by the Probation Service and located in Waterford city. Treo Port Lairge CLG works with young adults in Waterford. The main aims of Treo are to facilitate more positive lifestyle choices by participants, reduce their criminal activity and encourage progression to further education, training and or employment. Treo has been engaging with the target group, their families and the wider community since mid 2000. Subscribe via the links below to make sure you don't miss this (or any!) episodes of On Probation with Colm O'Regan. We hope you all enjoy listening. Listen on Spotify 👉https://lnkd.in/eB3TDkMy Listen on Apple 👉 https://lnkd.in/eYBvkxxa #OnProbation #ProbationService #OnProbationPodcast

Our heartfelt congratulations to community leader Pat Kavanagh on receiving an Honorary Doctorate from Dublin City University this week. Pat is truly a pillar of the community and a force of nature; she has also worked tirelessly as a champion for positive change in Ballymun. The Probation Service has benefited immensely from Pat’s enthusiasm, experience, and commitment to building pathways to trust, change and opportunity. Pat has been involved in the establishment of STRIVE, a joint agency response to crime (JARC), from the outset and, together with Rachel Lillis, was instrumental in founding Ballyrunners, a hugely successful support group based around shared sporting activities and social events. She continues to lead and inspire others through her work with Ballymun Job Centre. In being awarded an Honorary Doctorate from DCU, Pat joins a notable group of recipients which includes President Mary McAleese, Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh, Paula Meehan, Senator George Mitchell, Roddy Doyle, Seamus Heaney, Moya Brennan, and, most recently, John Saunders. Pat continues to be a beacon of support, empowering young and old alike and driving forward meaningful change through her unwavering dedication to Ballymun and beyond. Comhghairdeas Pat. Photo credit from DCU: Julian Behal

👟 Of the 20,000-plus runners set to line up on Leeson Street Lower for the Irish Life Dublin Marathon & Race Series Marathon on Sunday, October 27, several Probation Service staff members will be among them. 🥇 The very best of luck to Simon Cornish, Ian Sterio, Emma Gunn, Avril Stone and Maebh Brannigan and everyone running this Sunday. We are very proud of you and your achievements 🥊

📢 Minister for Justice Helen McEntee TD today welcomed the publication of the Probation Service Annual Report 2023, which provides a detailed overview of key developments, performance and general statistics on the work of the Service and its significant contribution to the criminal justice system. The Probation Service Annual Report highlights the enormous work carried out over the course of 2023, during which the Service worked with 16,989 people in the community, 3,175 people in custody and completed more than 11,000 assessment reports. In 2023, Probation Service staff also managed more than 1,600 community service orders, which amounted to more than 200,000 hours of unpaid work, equivalent to nearly 780 years of time spent in prison, and worth more than €2 million in unpaid work for the benefit of communities nationwide. Publishing the Annual Report, Minister McEntee said: “The Probation Service is a vital part of the Department of Justice. It plays an essential role in our criminal justice system by working to provide opportunities for rehabilitation and supporting its clients as they look to build crime-free lives." Director of the Probation Service, Mark Wilson said: “The Annual Report 2023 outlines the impact the Probation Service had in addressing offending behaviour and helping to create safer and more inclusive communities. The Probation Service worked with nearly 17,000 people in the community and completed nearly 11,000 assessment reports, meeting rising demand with dedication and professionalism.’ In keeping with the recommendations of the Review of Policy Options for Prison and Penal Reform 2022-2024, and through concerted efforts, the Service reported a nearly 30% increase in completed Community Service Assessments in 2023 over 2022’s figures, a total of 2,142. The 2023 Annual Report also demonstrates significant progress against the Probation Service Strategy and the Performance Delivery Agreement 2023 and Review of Policy Options for Prison and Penal Reform 2022-2024. It also advanced commitments across 5 strategic pillars outlined in the 2021-2023 Strategy Action Plan, with particular focus on community sanctions & community service, social inclusion, work in prisons and with young persons, and high-risk offender management. The Annual Report also highlights the further development and introduction of the Irish Probation Framework, a bespoke model of probation practice which is evidence-informed and underpinned by research. This will help the Probation Service to develop as a more effective, consistent and accountable organisation. In September 2023, the Probation Service published the IPF Practice Manual, a critical resource that will enable Probation Officers to translate and operationalise the IPF into their everyday practice. The Probation Service Annual Report 2023 is available here: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eM9BcAwu

🎧 Episode 4 of On Probation with Colm O'Regan is out today. In our fourth episode, Colm explores the subject of Restorative Justice. The Probation Service is committed to strengthening a victim-sensitive approach to criminal offending and Colm speaks to Emma Gunn, Senior Probation Officer in the Restorative Justice and Victim Services Unit in the Probation Service, and James Gough, whose sister Mary was murdered in 2001, devastating her family, friends and community. Following the conviction of her husband for her murder, James went through the process of Restorative Justice, culminating in a meeting between the two. We can't thank James enough for giving his time so generously to the podcast in memory of his sister Mary. Subscribe via the links below to make sure you don't miss this (or any!) episodes of On Probation with Colm O'Regan. We hope you all enjoy listening Listen on Spotify 👉 https://lnkd.in/eUiZf2hx Listen on Apple 👉 https://lnkd.in/eKA7T7gV

This week, the Probation Service visited Scoil Dara in Kilcock, Co. Kildare where Probation Officers Darren Lennon and Amy Hibbitts spoke with Transition Year students. Our special thanks to Eamon Ryan, TY programme co-ordinator, for the invitation to Scoil Dara and for the questions and engagement from the students and staff. Amy and Darren talked about the work they do as part of the Homeless Persons Probation Team in Dublin, what led them to study social work and ultimately to work in the Probation Service and also the ways in which young people can be involved and impacted by crime. Thank you for the lovely reception and interest and we hope you get good use from your Probation Service pens!

Last week, the Probation Service hosted our colleagues from Cuan, the DSGBV Agency, for an event they organised around sexual violence prevention. It was a pleasure to meet the visiting Australian delegation on a learning exchange tour across Europe, as well as colleagues from across the civil service. We look forward to more opportunities to collaborate, share, listen and learn.

The Probation Service is inviting Expressions of Interest from community-based partners to work in conjunction with the Dublin Probation Service Homeless Team, to deliver services to homeless persons who are referred by the criminal courts across the whole of Dublin city. Further information regarding the Expression of Interest process is available here: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/exbqxea5 Any enquiries regarding the completion of this application should be addressed to EOI@probation.ie. 📅 Closing date for receipt of applications: Wednesday 23rd October 2024 at 5pm

🎧 Episode 3 of On Probation with Colm O'Regan is out today. In our third episode, Colm takes the show on the road to explore the world of Community Based Organisations (CBOs) and gain insight into the vital role they play in our work here at The Probation Service. Colm visits Candle Community Trust Community, a CBO funded by the Probation Service. Based in Ballyfermot and established in 1978, Candle is deeply embedded in the community of Ballyfermot. On his visit, Colm speaks with clients at the Trust and chats with members of the dedicated Candle staff. We'd like to thank all the clients and staff at Candle for being so generous with their time and insights. This podcast would not have been possible without them. Subscribe via the links below to make sure you don't miss this (or any!) episodes of On Probation with Colm O'Regan. We hope you all enjoy listening! Listen on Spotify 👉 https://lnkd.in/ewYxUbXm Listen on Apple 👉 https://lnkd.in/eNUZfDzr