New-look probation service promises better prisoner rehabilitation

A new-look Probation Service today promised a new approach to rehabilitating criminals into society.

The name of the agency has been changed from the old Probation & Welfare Service title and it also has a new website.

The service will have an improved management structure and aims to prioritise core areas of work.

A Young Person’s Probation division will be established and an increased role for restorative justice will be explored.

Existing government policy and legislation, which dates back to 1907, will also be reviewed in coming months.

Launching the service’s new strategy statement, Justice Minister Michael McDowell said: “Today marks a new beginning for the Probation Service.

“This strategy has brought an agreed forward-thinking approach. It sets out clear goals with identifiable and measurable targets.”

Mr McDowell said the name change reflected a confident new vision and injects confidence into a service that can continue to make a significant contribution to the way offenders are managed.

“It goes without saying that the work of the Service in the community can only succeed with the hard work of its staff and the support of voluntary bodies who assist in the reintegration and rehabilitation of offenders.

“The Service has developed a particular expertise in assessing the risk posed by offenders, in overseeing non-custodial sanctions and in promoting measures that reduce the risk of re-offending,” he added.

The Justice Department funds some 70 Probation Service community projects across the country.

At present the Probation Service employs 330 staff and has a budget of €50m.

Its main functions are to provide probation reports, supervise community-based court sentences and plan and assist in the rehabilitation of prisoners.