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Tenth Annual Conference
Association for Criminal JusticeResearch and Development Ltd
acjrd
Community, Custody and Aftercare: The Journey Towards Social Inclusion
Castletroy Park Hotel, Limerick
11th & 12th October 2007
© Association for Criminal Justice Research & Development Ltd
© ACJRD Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system or transmitted in
any form or by any means, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior written permission of the ACJRD
Council.
Association for Criminal Justice Research & Development Ltd
Formerly the Irish Association for the Study of Delinquency Ltd
Conference 2007
All papers and presentations are available to download on our website www.acjrd.ie
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Tenth Annual Conference – Community, Custody and Aftercare: The Journey Towards Social Inclusion
CONTENTS
Page No.
Welcome
MauraButler,Chairperson,ACJRDLtd 2
Opening Address
SeánAylward,SecretaryGeneral,DepartmentofJustice,EqualityandLawReform 3
A psychological profile of young people who engage in criminal conduct
DrJenniferHayes,SeniorPsychologist,HealthServiceExecutive 6
Social inclusion, social capital and reintegration
DrFergusMcNeill,ScottishCentreforCrimeandJusticeResearch 11
After-dinner speaker
KathleenO’Toole,ChiefInspector,GardaSíochánaInspectorate 15
Homelessness and offending: marginalisation, segregation and the challenges to social inclusion
DrMaireadSeymour,SchoolofSocialSciencesandLaw,DublinInstituteofTechnology 19
Irish detention services for the twenty-first century
MaryGeaney,NationalManager,DetentionSchoolServices,IrishYouthJusticeService 25
Government thinking in Northern Ireland on social inclusion
and the way forward under a shared future
BrianRowntree,Chairperson,NorthernIrelandHousingExecutive 29
A community response – moving forward step by step
ElaineSlattery,CéimarChéim 32
Workshop discussions 35
Conference participants 39
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Association for Criminal Justice Research and Development Ltd
WELCOMEMauraButler,Chairperson,ACJRDLtdYouareallverywelcometothetenthannualconferenceof
ourassociation.Thishasbeenayearofsadtimesandglad
times:sad,asourbelovedformerchairperson,andco-
founder,MartinTansey,passedawayinMarch2007.We
werealldeeplyshakenbutweredutyboundtocontinue
withthemissionwhichhehadstartedwiththenow
SecretaryGeneraloftheDepartmentofJustice,Equality
andLawReform,SeánAylward,whowillformallylaunch
thisyear’sconference.MartinascaptainoftheACJRDship
hadoverseenthechangeoftheorganisation’snamefrom
IASD(IrishAssociationfortheStudyofDelinquency)tothe
ACJRD.Hepassedawayjustsixweeksbeforethelaunch
bythethenMinisterforChildren,BrianLenihan(now
MinisterforJustice,EqualityandLawReform),ofamost
significantpieceofresearchentitledTheChildrenCourt:
ANationalStudy.MycolleaguesontheCouncilofACJRD
hadbestowedonmethegreathonouroftakingoverthe
chairofthisorganisation,andIliketothinkthatMartin’s
presencegotmethroughmyfirsttaskaschaironthat
researchlaunchdate.
Movingontothe‘gladtimes’,Iamhappytoreportthat
TheChildrenCourt:ANationalStudyhasbeenvery
favourablyreceivedandiswidelycitedasthefirstnational
empiricalstudyofitskind.OurCouncilhasexpandedand
IamhappytoannouncetodaythattwonewCouncil
membershaveagreedtojoinus:KathleenO’Tooleof
theGardaSíochánaInspectoratewhoisherewithus
todayasoneoftheconferencespeakers;andProfessor
IanO’Donnell,DirectoroftheUCDInstituteof
Criminology.Itakethisopportunitytowelcometheir
eruditeandinternationalperspective,whichwillbeof
greatbenefittothedevelopmentofACJRD.
ThisisagoodopportunitytothankallCouncilMembers
fortheirdedication.InparticularwethankDr.Ursula
Kilkelly,whohasresignedfromtheCounciland
congratulateheronbecomingChairpersonoftheIrish
PenalReformTrust.HerdedicationtotheCouncilandher
supervisionofourresearch(ers)wasintegraltoour
developmentovertheyears.MembersofCouncil
attendingthisconferencehaveagreedtochairour
variousworkshopsandthisisthetypeofteamspiritthat
weareblessedtobepartof.
Howeversuchteamspirithastobenourishedand
supportedasweembracechangeinthisorganisation.
Withthatinmindwehadan‘awayday’wherewe
consideredwhoweare,whatweareaboutandwhere
dowegofromhere.Welookforwardtowards
innovativeandfocusedactivitytowards‘socialinclusion’
atcommunitylevel–startingwiththisconference.So
howinclusiveisACJRD?Whodowebelieveweare?We
haveanexpansivemembershipwhichencompassesa
broadchurchofjudicial,publicsector,NGOand
individualmembers.Wearerichwithintellectualcapital
andexperiencefromallquartersdealingwithoffending,
itscausesandconsequencesrangingfromthoseonthe
groundtothoseatpolicycreationandimplementation
level.Wearea‘safe’forumforexchangingviews,
movingtowardsanunderstandingofeachother’s
perspectives.Forexample,ChathamHouseRulesapply
atthisconference,andallotherACJRDconferences,
seminarsandevents,tofacilitatethatfreeexchangeof
opinionandideas.
ThisConferencewouldnotbehappeningwithoutthe
generousparticipationofanarrayofdistinguished
speakersandworkshopfacilitatorswhogivefreelyof
theirtimebecauseofadeepcommitmenttoprinciples
helddearbythemand/ortheirassociation.Council
Membershavebeengenerousintheircommitmentto
thepreparationforthisconferenceastheybrainstormed
atheme;andthenrecommendingspeakerswithaview
towardsincorporatingandexpandingtheconcernsofour
diversemembership.Itgoeswithoutsayingthatthe
consistentlyTrojanworkoftheAssociation’sManager,
GeraldineComerford,hasbeenkey.
ThethemeofthisConferencewasmotivated,informed
andinspiredbythefindingsofTheChildrenCourt:
ANationalStudyandthedesiretobe‘inclusive’inits
endeavourtoprovideavehiclewhichappealstoour
broadmembership–andmaybetemptotherstojoinus!
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Tenth Annual Conference – Community, Custody and Aftercare: The Journey Towards Social Inclusion
OPENINGADDRESSSeánAylward,SecretaryGeneral,DepartmentofJustice,EqualityandLawReformChairperson,delegates,fellowguests,Iamhonoured
thatyouinvitedmetodelivertheopeningaddressat
thisthetenthannualconferenceoftheAssociationfor
CriminalJusticeResearchandDevelopment(ACJRD).
Martin N Tansey and ACJRDInaddressingyouthismorningIamrememberingback
tothestartofthisforum.Itsprang,asmanyofyou
know,fromtheviewofsomeofusatthattimethatwe
neededanarena,withinthecriminaljusticefamily,
wherewecouldexpressviewsandshareideasaround
research,practicalapplicationofsolutionsand
improvementsgenerallythatwecouldhelpachieve.
Asmanyofyouwillknow,thelateMartinTanseywas
animportantdrivingforceintheworkoftheAssociation
fromthestart.SomehowIthinkheprobablyisstill
watchingdownonustodaywithabeadyeyeaswe
gathertoshareideas,debateissuesandcomeaway
withnewinsights.
AswesaidinourtributetohimintheIrishTimes:
‘TheworkoftheServicedemandspatience,humanity,
courage,anunderstandingthattherearecompeting
humanrights,andthecapacitytobalancethoserights.
Martinhadthesequalitiesinabundance,combined
withaveryconsiderablehelpingofcommonsenseand
nativecunning’.
IknowfromtalkingtoMauraButler,thenew
Chairperson,towhomthemantleofleadershiphas
passed,thatshewillbringrenewedvigourtothe
Association,aptlyrenamedthe‘AssociationforCriminal
JusticeResearchandDevelopment’.IwishMaurawell
andknowthatsheandherCouncil,alongwiththe
dedicatedstaffledbyGeraldineComerford,willworkin
atirelesswaytofurthertheworkoftheAssociation.Itis
importantthatwehaveforasuchasthistofacilitate
livelydebateandofferopportunitiesforarangeof
backgrounds,expertiseandexperiencetomeetand
exchangeideas,whichwillultimatelyinformchangeand
improvement.It’sveryimportantthatpractitioners,
policymakersandtheresearchcommunityhaveasafe
placetodialogue.
Importance of research to the debate on crime IamdelightedthatmyDepartmentisinapositionto
financiallysupporttheworkoftheAssociation.Iam
stronglyoftheviewthatweneedgoodrobust
independentresearchinthecriminaljusticeareatohelp
ustoidentifytrendsandpatternsandlearnfrombest
practice.Iworryaboutsomeoftheresearchdata
generatedbycampaigningorganisations.Ifearitcanbe
loadedatbestandunreliableatworst.ThatiswhyIam
committedtodevelopingastrongerresearchethosin
theDepartmentanditsagencies.
Wemustbepreparedtocontinuetousetaxpayer’s
moneytocommissionresearchandlooktobestpractice
inordertobestdealwiththemanyfacesofcriminal
behaviourinourmodernworld,fromjuvenileto
ganglandtowhitecollarcrime.Iamparticularlypleased
thattheAssociationundertookandpublishedresearch
earlierthisyearintotheworkingsoftheChildrenCourt.
Thatworkhasprovidedawealthofdataonoffending
patternsandimportantdetailsonthebackgroundof
offenders.Thisisagoodexampleofthetypeofresearch
whichcaninformpolicyinthecriminaljusticearena.
Indeed,IshouldaddthattheGovernmenthasagreed
increasedjudicialresourcesfortheChildrenCourt
which,inpart,wasinformedbytheresearchfindings.
Thethemeofthisyear’sconference,‘Community,Custody
andAftercare:TheJourneytowardsSocialInclusion’,isvery
broad.Iknowthatyourguestspeakersoverthenexttwo
dayswilladdtothedebateacrosseachelementfromthe
roleofthecommunity,tocustodialinterventionsthrough
toreintegrationbacktothecommunity.Formypart,I
wouldliketosharesomethoughtswithyouthatcan,
perhaps,feedintoyourdeliberations.
Partnership approachIstronglybelievethatasasocietyweneedtobuildand
reinvigoratepartnershipsbetweencommunitiesandthe
Governmentalandnon-Governmentalsectortomeet
therangeofmodernchallengesinlookingtotackle
socialinclusion,buildstronger,safercommunities,and
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Association for Criminal Justice Research and Development Ltd
instilprideinourneighbourhoods.Itisperhapsacliché
tosaythatnoonegroupinghasalloftheanswersto
crimebut,workingtogether,wecanIbelievehelpto
buildabettersafersociety.MyDepartmentistothe
forefrontinthisprocessintheformoftheIrishYouth
JusticeService,COSC,theProbationServiceandthe
workofAnGardaSíochána.Thisfitsintoourofficial
philosophyasaGovernmentDepartment–‘Helping
tobuildasafer,fairerIreland’.
Sentencing optionsAs‘custody’isaspecificpartofthethemetothe
Conferenceandcomingfromthebackgroundofhaving
beentheDirectorGeneraloftheIrishPrisonServicefora
period,Iwouldliketoshareafewthoughtswithyouon
thewholedebateofcustodyvnon-custodialsanctions.
Ibelievethatpublicprotectionconsiderationsdemand
thatthecourtsmusthavetheoptionofprovidingfora
custodialsentence,wherethefactsoftheparticularcase
sowarrant.Thatisnottosaythatcustodyshouldbethe
onlyoption.Onthecontraryweneedawidemenuof
options.Ibelievethatwedohavearangeofoptions,
whichourJudiciarycananddouse.Certainly,inmy
experience,judgesdonotsentenceanyoneto
imprisonmentlightly.WhileIamnotgoingtoblindyou
withfigures,theavailablestatisticsgenerallysupportthe
viewthatthereisnoexcessiveuseofimprisonmentasa
sanctionhere.Ofthe120,000orsoconvictionsinour
criminalcourtslastyear(2006),lessthan10%resulted
inimprisonment.90%ofpeopleconvictedwerenot
senttoprison.LookingtootherEuropeancountriesour
rateofimprisonmentislowerthanGermany,France,
Italy,SwedenandtheNetherlandsanditisabouthalf
thatofournearestneighbours,theUnitedKingdom.
Manyvestedinterestssuggestwehaveamaniafor
imprisoningpeoplehere.Thisisclearlynotthecase.
Todaythereisnodoubtthatwearefacedwithmany
challengesfromthescourgeofdrugstogangland
activitywhichimpactonthetypeandviciousnessof
crime.Ialwaysencouragepeopleinterestedinthetopic
notto‘talkup’crime.Iacceptofcoursethatwemust
be‘alive’totheseriouschallengeswefaceandconfront
theminaproportionatemanner.Ourlegislatorshave
providedforarangeofsentencingoptionsandthisis
correct–aprisonsentenceisbutoneoption.Thereare
alsoanumberofnon-custodialoptionssuchasfines,
communityservice,theProbationActandsuspended
sentencesavailabletotheCourtsfordisposalofcertain
cases.Anoft-forgottenstatisticisthatatanyonetimethe
ProbationServiceissupervisingupto6,000personsinthe
community,whichagaingoestoshowthatprisonisbyno
meanstheonlyoptionbeingavailedofbytheJudiciary.
Change in the Criminal Justice AgenciesIthinkitisfairtosaythatIreland’scriminaljustice
agenciesareundergoingaprocessofvastchange:take
forexamplethecaseofAnGardaSíochánawithitsnew
legislativeframework,theOmbudsmanCommissionand
theGardaInspectorate.YouwillbehearingfromChief
InspectorKathleenO’Tooletonight,andIknowshewill
havesomeinsightfulreflectionsforyourconsideration.
Intheprisonsarea,wearemodernisingourprisonsand
haveintroducednewregulationsforthegovernanceof
prisonswiththerecentlycommencedPrisonRules.We
aremeetingthesecuritychallengesinourprisonswith
amixoftechnologyandadditionalresources.Another
importantelementinmeetingtheindividualneedsof
prisonersinourcareistheimplementationofan
individualriskandneedsassessmentforourprisoners
bytheIrishPrisonService.Thesystemisbeingpiloted
intwoprisonsatpresentandwillberolledout
progressivelythereafter.Wehavecomealong,longway
sinceIfirststoodinthecircleatMountjoyPrisonwith
GovernorLonerganinFebruary1993.
Role of the Probation ServiceTheinterfacebetweenthewidercommunityandthe
ProbationServiceisanimportantandvitalpartof
dealingwithoffendingbehaviour.Probationstaffwork
inacollaborativewaywithcommunitygroupsacross
thecountrywiththeaimofreducingoffending,
reintegratingoffendersbackintothecommunity,and
providingaftercareandsupportinthecommunity
setting,aswellassupporttoprisonersinprison.
Nowherehasthechangeprocessbeenmoreapparent
overthelast18monthsthanintheProbationService.
Wenowhaveaseniormanagementstructureleading
changeinhowtheorganisationdoesitsday-to-day
business;supportedbytheestablishmentofdedicated
specialistteams,suchasAssessmentTeamsforthe
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Tenth Annual Conference – Community, Custody and Aftercare: The Journey Towards Social Inclusion
provisionofreportstocourts,andtheYoungPersons’
ProbationDivisiontodriveimplementationoftheChildren
Act.Ofcoursethisworkisdemandingandtime
consuming.Thatiswhyanadditional71staffwere
sanctionedfortheProbationServiceearlierthisyearto
target,inparticular,juvenileoffending.Justtogiveyoua
flavourofwhatthejobofaprobationofficerentails:the
jobcanrangefromassessingthedangerapersonposesto
societybyprovidingpre-sanctionreportstotheCourtswith
incisiveandreliableadviceandinformation;toassistingin
sentencingdecisions;toworkingwithcommunitygroups.
StayingwiththeinteractionbetweentheProbationService
andcommunitybasedorganisations(manyofwhichare
representedheretoday),Iwanttopubliclyacknowledge
theexcellentcollaborativeworkthatgoesonatthe
coalface.Iamgladtosaythatthisworkissupported
financiallybytheDepartmentofJustice,EqualityandLaw
Reform.Thisyearfundingofalmost21.5millioneurofor
communitybasedorganisationshasbeenprovidedand
distributedto66projectsnationwide.Theseorganisations
supporttheprobationserviceintheprovisionofarangeof
servicestooffendersinlocalcommunities.
Tackling offending behaviour early: the Children Act Volumeshavebeenwrittenabouttheneedforearly
targetedinterventionstopreventandreducecrime.
Nowhereisthismorevitalthanwithyoungpeople.In
theChildrenAct,2001(asamended)wehave,Ibelieve,
awiderangeofinnovativenon-custodialmeasures.
TheActprovidesastatutoryframeworkforthefuture
developmentofthejuvenilejusticesysteminaccordance
withmodernthinkingandbestinternationalpractice.
TheActenvisagescommittalstocustodyofyoung
offendersbeingavailedofonlyinsituationswhere
community-basedoptionshaveactuallybeenresortedto
andhavefailed.TheActalsointroducedwhatarecalled
‘DiversionConferences’,basedonrestorativejustice
principlesaspioneeredinNewZealand.Italsoprovides
forfamilyconferences;thepaymentofcompensationby
parentsforoffencescommittedbytheirchildren;aswell
ascurfewsforchildrenfoundguiltyofoffences.
MypersonalgoalwhenbecomingSecretaryGeneralwas
tohelpbringaboutbetterco-ordinationofresponses
betweenGovernmentDepartmentsinrespectof
childrenatriskofinvolvementincrimeandother
troublingbehaviour.
WebeganthetaskinOctober2004,withthesettingup
ofaninternalprojectteamwithintheDepartmentto
examinethescopeforrationalisingandrestructuringthe
deliveryoftheState’sservicesintheareaofyouth
justice,inaccordancewiththelegislativebasisprovided
forintheChildrenAct2001.PublicationoftheReport
ontheYouthJusticeReviewwasapprovedby
GovernmentinDecember2005.TheGovernment
agreedtotheimplementationofthereport’s
recommendations,inadditiontoanumberofother
youthjusticereforms.
Amongthereformsagreedwastheestablishmentofthe
IrishYouthJusticeService,onanon-statutorybasis,as
anexecutiveofficeoftheDepartmentofJustice,Equality
andLawReform.TheServicehasbeenestablishedunder
theDirectorshipofMichelleShannonandisfocusing:on
developingaNationalYouthJusticeStrategy;achieving
thefullimplementationoftheChildrenAct2001;has
assumedresponsibilityforchildren’sdetention;andis
activelyworkingtoimprovethedeliveryofservicesfor
youngoffenders.Indeed,youwillhearfromMary
Geaneyonsomeoftheirworktomorrow.
ConclusionIhopeIhavegivenyouasenseofthevoyageofchange
thatisunderwayinvolvingthecriminaljusticefamily.We
arereadytomeetthechallengesthatcrimeandits
causesbring.Wewillcontinuetoworkinapartnership
mannerwiththewiderangeoforganisationsthatare
willingtogiveoftheirtime,expertiseandcommitment.
TheACJRDcancontinuetoplayanimportantroleinthis
journeyofdiscoveryanddevelopment.AsourMinister
BrianLenihansaidintheDáilrecentlyandIparaphrase–
wedonotbelievewehaveamonopolyofwisdomnor
dowebelieveasusedtobeallegedoftheBishopsin
Maynooth‘thatthetruthbeingknown,furtherenquiry
isunnecessary’-incontributingtocriminaljusticepolicy
development.Workingtogetherwecansucceed.Ithank
youforyourcontinuedcollectiveengagementwiththe
issueswhichconfrontusinthecriminaljusticefieldand,
inconclusion,Iwishyouwellinyourdeliberationsatthis
conference.
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Association for Criminal Justice Research and Development Ltd
Thispaperisdrawnfromtheexecutivesummaryofthe
report‘Emotionalintelligence,mentalhealthand
juveniledelinquency’byDrJenniferMargaretHayesand
DrGaryO’Reilly,publishedin2007.
Research aimTheaimofthisresearchwastodescribeyoungpeople
detainedbytheIrishStateforengagementinserious
criminalconductacrossanumberofpsychological
domains.Thesedomainsincludedlevelsofcriminality,
psychologicalmorbidity,cognitivefunctioning,trait
emotionalintelligenceandabilityemotionalintelligence.
Thisresearchalsoaimedtobrieflyidentifyfamilyand
schoolrelatedfactorsassociatedwithyoungpeoplewho
haveoffendingproblems.Toachievethis,their
functioningwascomparedtothatofyoungpeople
referredtoapsychiatryserviceandtothatofyoung
peoplefromthegeneralcommunitywhodidnothave
offendingormentalhealthdifficulties.
Key findingsYoungpeopledetainedbytheIrishStatepresentwith
complexanddebilitatingpsychologicaldifficultiesacross
anumberofdifferentdomains.
CriminalityLevelsofcriminalityamongstyoungpeopleindetention
inIrelandareveryserious.Resultsshowedthatatotal
ofthreehundredandthirtyfivecrimesledtothe
detentionofthethirtyyoungpeopleincludedinthis
research.Aboutoneinthreeboysindetentionin
Irelandaresentenced,atleastpartially,onthebasisof
atleastoneinterpersonallyviolentcrime.Othertypesof
crimeincludedacquisitivecrimes,propertycrimes,
drivingoffences,failuretocomplywithGardaíorCourt
andotheroffences.Approximatelytwothirdsofyoung
peopleindetentionwillhavebeenincarceratedina
differentdetentionschoolatadifferentpointintime.
Thesefindingssuggestthatlevelsofcriminalityamongst
youngpeopleincarceratedinIrelandareveryserious
andarelikelytoposesignificantmonetaryand
psychologicalcoststovictims,tothelegalsystemand
tosocietyasawhole.
Personal and family characteristicsYoungpeopleindetentioninIrelandcomefrom
criminalisedfamilies.Thevastmajorityofdetaineeshave
atleastonefamilymemberwhohasacriminal
conviction(97%)andafamilymemberwhohasserved
timeinjail(90%).Youngpeoplewhoareindetention
haveahistoryofbehaviouralproblemsthatmanifested
themselvesinschool.Truancy,schoolsuspensionand
expulsionarecharacteristicsassociatedwithyoung
peopleresidingindetentionschools.
Psychological morbidityStaffworkinginIrishdetentionschoolsshouldexpect
thatapproximatelyeightoutoftenboysintheircarewill
meetdiagnosticcriteriaforatleastonepsychological
disorderandthat,formostoftheseboys,theirmental
healthdifficultieswillbecompoundedbyco-morbidity.
Approximatelyone-thirdofdetaineeswillmeet
diagnosticcriteriaforamoodoranxietydisorder,two-
thirdswillexperienceanexternalisingordisruptive
psychologicaldisorderandapproximatelytwo-thirdswill
meetdiagnosticcriteriaforasubstancerelateddisorder.
Thelevelofdruguseamongdetaineesisamatterof
graveconcern.Resultssuggestfrequentuseofawide
rangeofsubstances,whicharefirsttakeninchildhood.
Onaverage,cannabisusebeginsatnineyearsofagefor
thosewithadependencydisorderandattenyearsof
A PSYCHOLOGICALPROF ILE OFYOUNGPEOPLE WHOENGAGE IN CR IMINALCONDUCTDrJenniferHayes,SeniorPsychologist,HealthServiceExecutive
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Tenth Annual Conference – Community, Custody and Aftercare: The Journey Towards Social Inclusion
ageforthosewithausedisorder.Theaverageageat
whichcocaineisfirstusedbydetaineeswiththeabove-
mentioneddisordersare13and14yearsrespectively.
Resultssuggestthat,despitetheirincarceration,these
boyshavecontinuedaccesstoalcoholanddrugs,
probablyaccessedthroughhomeleave,whichmaintains
theirdependencyandusedifficulties.
StaffinIrishdetentioncentrescanexpectthatatany
giventimeapproximatelyoneineveryfiveboysintheir
carewillbeexperiencingsuicidalideationandthata
similarproportionwillhaveattemptedtotaketheirlives
onatleastoneoccasioninthepast.
Cognitive functioningOverone-fifthofdetaineeshavefullscaleIQscoresinthe
intellectualdisabilityrangeanddetaineesasagroupcanbe
expectedtohavelowercognitiveabilitiesthanhave
adolescentsreferredtoapsychiatryserviceandadolescents
withoutoffendingormentalhealthdifficulties.
Trait and ability emotional intelligenceIrishdetainees,whencomparedwithadolescentswhoare
withoutmentalhealthandoffendingproblems,werenot
foundtohavedifferentlevelsofadaptabilityortotaltrait
emotionalintelligence.However,youngpeopledetainedby
theIrishStateexperiencesignificantlylowerlevelsofability
emotionalintelligencethanthoseofyoungpeoplewhodo
nothaveoffendingormentalhealthdifficulties.Detainees
possessareducedabilitytoperceiveemotionsaccurately,
touseemotionalinformationtofacilitatethinkinganda
reducedabilitytoregulateemotions.Detaineesexperience
similardeficitsinemotionalcompetencetothoseofyoung
peoplereferredtoapsychiatryserviceformentalhealth
treatment.
RecommendationsThereareanumberofimportantpolicydevelopment,
servicedevelopmentandresearchimplicationsstemming
fromtheresultsofthisresearch.
Policy developmentThereisaneedforpolicydevelopmenttoensurethat
thepsychologicalneedsofyoungpeopleindetention
aremetduringtheirperiodofincarceration.Policies
shouldclearlyspecifytherolethatdetentionhasin
meetingthepsychologicalneedsofincarceratedyoung
people.Thesepoliciesshouldcentreontheethosthat
detentionprovidescircumstancesinwhichconsiderable
opportunitiesforpsychologicaltreatmentand
rehabilitationcouldandshouldbeexploited.Policiesare
alsoneededtosethighstandardsthatguidethetypes
ofassessmentandtreatmentproceduresimplemented
toaddresspsychologicalneed.Policyshouldhighlighta
commitmenttoevidence-basedassessmentand
treatmentapproaches.
Policydevelopmentisalsowarrantedtoensurethat
detentionisviewedasanopportunitytoassertively
targetfactorsthathavecontributedtoayoungperson’s
criminalityandtodeconstructfactorsthatincreasethe
likelihoodofayoungpersonre-offendingfollowing
release.Toachievethiseffectively,policieswhich
highlighttheimportanceofevidence-basedassessment
andinterventionmethodsfortheassessmentand
treatmentofcriminalityarerequired.
Policydevelopmentthathighlightstheimportantroleof
ongoingempiricalresearchiswarranted.Thiswillensure
thatourunderstandingoftheneedsofyoungpeoplein
detentioncontinuestoimprove.Thisinturnwillleadto
animprovementinservicedeliveryandimproveour
abilitytomeetthepsychologicalneedsofyoungpeople
whoareincarcerated.
Implications for service development
Assessment and intervention teamsTheresearchfindingsdetailedinthisreportshowthat
youngpeopleindetentionhaveseriouslevelsofcriminality,
complexanddebilitatingpsychologicaldifficultiesand
deficitsinIQandinemotionalintelligence.Toaddressthese
issuesadequatelyrequiresthedevelopmentofmulti-
disciplinaryassessmentandinterventionteams.These
teamsshouldbeledbyaseniorclinicianwhoiscompetent
intheassessment,diagnosisandtreatmentofmental
healthproblemsamongincarceratedyoungpeople.Teams
shouldincludeinputfromclinicalpsychology,psychiatry,
socialwork,familytherapy,addictioncounselling,
probationandclinicalnursespecialist.
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Association for Criminal Justice Research and Development Ltd
Implications for assessment
ScreeningAlldetaineesshouldbescreenedforthepresenceof
psychologicaldisordersandintellectualdisabilitieson
entrytodetention.
Comprehensive multi-disciplinary assessmentAnyyoungpersonidentifiedasatriskofexperiencinga
mentalhealthdifficultyshouldreceiveacomprehensive,
multi-disciplinaryteamassessment.Thisshouldfollow
bestpracticeguidelines,resultinadiagnosisand
highlightkeypredisposing,precipitating,maintaining
andprotectivefactorsassociatedwitheachyoung
person’smentalhealthdifficulties.Aformulationofeach
child’sdifficultiesshouldleadtothedevelopmentof
evidence-basedinterventionprogrammes.
Everyyoungpersonidentifiedthroughthescreening
processasatriskofexperiencinganintellectualdisability
shouldreceiveafulldiagnosticassessmentwhich
includesanevaluationoftheircognitiveabilitiesand
adaptivefunctioning.Allyoungpeople,regardlessof
theirmentalhealthstatus,requireacomprehensive,
evidence-based,multi-disciplinaryassessmenttoidentify
factorsassociatedwiththeiroffendingbehaviour.The
identificationofprecipitating,predisposing,maintaining
andprotectivefactorsshouldleadtoaformulationof
theircriminalproblemsandleadtothedevelopmentof
aninterventionprogrammethataimstobreakpatterns
ofoffendingbehaviour.
Risk assessmentsThefindingshighlightedinthisreportpointtotheneed
forspecificpsychologicalriskassessmentsonentrytoa
detentionschool.Theaimoftheseassessmentsshould
betoestimatethelevelofriskofself-harmand/orthe
levelofriskthattheyoungpersonposestoharming
others.Assessmentsarealsorequiredtodeterminerisk
associatedwithsuddendiscontinuationofillicit
substancesonentrytodetention.Thiswillensurethat
substancewithdrawalisbothcontrolledandsafe.Risk
assessmentsshouldclearlyspecifytheextentofriskand
factorsthatcanbetargetedtoreducethatrisk.This
informationshouldthenbeusedtoguideinterventions
withaviewtoeffectivelyreducingrisklevels.
Assessment of psychological needs prior to dischargeEachyoungpersonshouldbeassessedpriortotheir
discharge.Thisshouldaimtoidentifywhatstepsare
neededtoensureaseamlesstransitionfromstructured
lifeindetentiontooftentimesaveryunstructuredand
chaoticlifepost-release.Suchassessmentsshouldalso
informtheidentificationofandreferraltoappropriate
treatmentservicesinthecommunityandensure
continuityofcare.Pre-releaseassessmentsshouldalso
aimtoidentifysuitableeducationaloroccupational
placementswithinthecontextofeachyoungperson’s
cognitiveabilityandpersonalstrengths.The
identificationofriskfactorsthatarelikelytoleadto
exasperationofpsychologicaldifficultiesand/ortore-
engagementinpatternsofoffendingbehaviourshould
alsobeidentified.Thisinformationshouldleadtothe
developmentofappropriateinterventionswhichserveto
supporteachyoungpersonfollowingtheirrelease.
Re-assessmentRegularre-assessmentisrequiredthroughouteach
youngperson’speriodofdetention,especiallyintimes
ofincreasedstress.Thiswillensurethatappropriate
changestoeachchild’sinterventionprogrammeare
madeinaccordancewithfluctuationsandchangesin
theirmentalhealthneeds.
Implications for treatment
Psychological disordersTheresultsofmulti-disciplinaryteamassessments
shouldinformthedevelopmentofmulti-disciplinary
interventionprogrammes.Evidence-basedtherapiesthat
havebeenscientificallyshowntoreducecriminalityand
toreducepsychologicaldifficultiesaretheinterventions
thatshouldbedeliveredtoyoungpeople.Thereisa
largebodyofscientificevidencewhichsupportsthe
effectivenessofspecifictherapeuticapproachesfor
specificpsychologicaldisorders.Thisempiricalliterature
shouldbeusedtoensurethateffectivetherapeutic
interventionsaredeliveredtoyoungpeopleindetention
schools.Therapeuticapproachesshouldbeindividually
tailoredtoeachyoungperson’slevelofemotionaland
cognitivecompetence.
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Tenth Annual Conference – Community, Custody and Aftercare: The Journey Towards Social Inclusion
Intellectual disabilitiesThedevelopmentofspeciallydesignededucationaland
interventionprogrammesisrequiredtomeettheneeds
ofyoungpeoplewithintellectualdisabilitieswhoreside
indetentionschools.Additionalsupportsfromspecial
educatorsandpsychologistsarealsorequiredin
conjunctionwithsupportstosafeguardtherightsof
youngpeoplewithanintellectualdisability.
Skills-based intervention programmesAnumberofevidence-basedinterventionsshouldbe
automaticallydeliveredtoallyoungpeopleindetention.
Evidencebasedinterventionsthatimproveanger
managementskills,relaxationskillsandcognitive
thinkingskillsshouldbedelivered.Skillsbased
programmestoincreaseemotionalcompetenceshould
alsobedevelopedanddeliveredtoeveryyoungperson
indetention.
Staff training / psychoeducationStafftrainingandpsychoeducationshouldbedelivered
tohelpstaffrecognisesymptomsofpsychological
disordersandtounderstandtheinterplaybetween
psychologicaldifficultiesandayoungperson’s
behaviour.Trainingtosupportstaffinimplementing
strategiesthatwillassistyoungpeopletomanagetheir
problemsiswarranted.Stafftrainingonhowbestto
managedifficultandstressfulsituationsthatariseasa
resultofayoungperson’semotionalandbehavioural
problemsisalsoneeded.Inaddition,psychoeducation
onintellectualdisabilitiesandthemanagementof
problemsassociatedwithcognitivedeficitsiswarranted.
Implications for early identification and preventionEarlyidentificationofyoungpeoplewhoareatriskof
becominginvolvedandentrenchedinpatternsof
offendingbehaviourisimportant.Allyoungpeoplewho
cometotheattentionofGardaíasfirst-timeoffenders
shouldbereferredtocommunitycarepsychology
servicesforpsychologicalassessmentandintervention.
Pupilswhoengageintruancyanddisplayrepeated
behaviouraldifficultiesinschoolshouldbereferredby
schoolprincipalstocommunitycarepsychologyservices
forassessmentandintervention.
Implications for service monitoring and evaluation of service provisionSystemsthatevaluatetheeffectivenessofassessment
andinterventionproceduresandthatleadtoauditsof
thementalhealthservicesprovidedtoyoungpeoplein
detentionarerequired.Thiswillensurethatthe
psychologicalneedsofchildrenarebeingmeteffectively
andthatservicesarecost-effective.
Implications for research
Young people on the cusp of criminalityIntheinterestsofearlyinterventionandprevention,
empiricalresearchisrequiredtoidentifythe
psychologicalneedsofyoungpeoplewhoareonthe
cuspofinvolvingthemselvesincriminality.Researchis
neededtodescribethefunctionofsuchbehaviour,to
identifythefactorsthatarelikelytoprecipitateand
maintaincriminalbehaviourandtoanalysethe
psychologicalneedsofsuchyoungpeopleandtheir
families.Thiswillinformthedevelopmentanddelivery
ofcommunitybasedinterventionsthatareeffectivein
reducingoffendingproblemsinthecommunity.
Family characteristicsAcomprehensiveempiricalresearchprojectthat
describesthefamilycharacteristicsofyoungpeople
whoareindetentionisneeded.Identifyingimportant
familycharacteristicsthatareassociatedwithayoung
person’soffendingandmentalhealthproblemswill
guideandinformtheassessmentandtreatmentof
youngpeoplewithoffendingproblemswithinthe
contextoftheirfamilies.
Emotional competencyThedevelopmentofskills-basedemotionalintelligence
skillsprogrammesareneeded.Thisresearchshould
includeanevaluationoftheefficacyofsuch
programmesinincreasingtheemotionalcompetency
ofyoungpeoplewhoareincarcerated.
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Association for Criminal Justice Research and Development Ltd
ReferencesWebsite:www.juvenilementalhealthmatters.com
‘Emotionalintelligence,mentalhealthandjuvenile
delinquency’.Authors:DrJenniferMargaretHayes,
SchoolofPsychology,UniversityCollegeDublinand
HealthServiceExecutive–South;andDrGaryO’Reilly,
SchoolofPsychology,UniversityCollegeDublin.
Publishedby:JuvenileMentalHealthMatters,Cork,
Ireland,May2007
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Tenth Annual Conference – Community, Custody and Aftercare: The Journey Towards Social Inclusion
Social Exclusion and PrisonersTheevidencethatprisonersandex-prisonershave
experiencedandremainvulnerabletosocialexclusionis
overwhelming.AstudybytheSocialExclusionUnitin
2002foundthatprisonerswere:
n 13timesmorelikelytohavebeenincareasachild;
n 10timesmorelikelytohavebeenaregulartruant
fromschool;
n 13timesmorelikelytobeunemployed;
n 2.5timesmorelikelytohaveafamilymemberwho
hasbeenconvictedofacriminaloffence;
n 6timesmorelikelytohavebeenayoungfather;and
n 15timesmorelikelytobeHIVpositive.
Inrespectoftheirbasicskills:
n 80%hadthewritingskillsofan11yearold;
n 65%hadthenumeracyskillsofan11yearold;and
n 50%hadthereadingskillsofan11yearold.
Inrelationtohealth:
n 70%haduseddrugsbeforecomingtoprison;
n 70%sufferedfromatleasttwomentaldisorders;
n 20%ofmaleprisonershadpreviouslyattempted
suicide;and
n 37%ofwomenprisonershaveattemptedsuicide.
Foryoungerprisonersaged18-20theseproblemswere
evenmoreintense.Theirbasicskills,ratesof
unemploymentandpreviouslevelsofschoolexclusion
wereathirdworseeventhanthoseofolderprisoners.
Why is crime linked to social exclusion?Butwhyisitthatprisonerstypicallyhavethesekindsof
backgrounds?Ontheonehand,itislikelythatpeopleat
thehardendofincreasinginequalitymightbemore
temptedtoengageincriminalactivities.Butonthe
otherhand,itisalsotruethatpeopleindisadvantaged
communitiestendtobeoftenover-policedasoffenders,
whilebeingunder-policedasvictims.Ofcourse,once
peoplecometobecriminalised,oncetheybecome
recognisedasknownoffendersoras‘theusual
suspects’,theytendtobeevenmoreexcludedfrom
accesstoallsortsofsocialgoods(employment,housing,
healthservices,etc.)andevenmoreheavilypoliced.
Thesedynamics–ofexclusionandinequalityprovoking
crime,andofthealreadyexcludedbeingmore
criminalisedandexcluded,canresultinaviciouscycleof
socialexclusionleadingtocrime;crimeleadingto
criminalisation;andcriminalisationcontributingto
furthersocialexclusion.
Ratherthanseekingexplanationsofthesedynamicsin
thecharactersofoffendersorintheirlocalculturesand
subcultures,manycriminologistsrecognisetheprofound
influenceofwidersocialstructures,forcesandpressures:
‘Crimeoccurswherethereisculturalinclusionand
structuralexclusion…crimeisnottheresultofalackof
culturebutofembracingaculture of success and
individualism…itisnotmaterialdeprivationperse,nor
lackofopportunitywhichgiverisetocrime,but
deprivationinthecontextofthe‘AmericanDream’
culturewheremeritocracyisexhortedasopentoall’.
‘Crimeandintoleranceoccurwhencitizenshipis
thwarted;theircauseslieininjustice,yettheireffectis,
inevitably,furtherinjusticeandviolationofcitizenship’.
(Young,1999)
Understanding desistance Somuchforconsideringthelinksbetweensocial
exclusion,crimeandcriminalisation;whatdoweknow
aboutendingoffending?Incontemporarycriminology,
thereismuchinterestin‘desistance’fromoffending.
Desistancecanbedefinedasceasingandrefraining
fromoffendingbehaviour.MarunaandFarralldrawan
importantdistinctionbetween‘primarydesistance’,
whichreferstoanylullinoffending,and‘secondary
desistance’,whichinvolvestheindividualcomingtosee
himorherselfasanex-offenderornon-offender.Ina
SOCIAL INCLUS ION, SOCIALCAP ITAL ANDRE INTEGRAT IONDrFergusMcNeill,ScottishCentreforCrimeandJusticeResearch
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Association for Criminal Justice Research and Development Ltd
sense,secondarydesistanceis(orshouldbe)the‘holy
grail’ofoffendermanagement.
Whatdoweknowabouttheprocessofdesistance?
Firstly,itisaprocesscharacterisedbyambivalenceand
vacillation.Itisnotanevent.Desistancemaybe
provokedbyageing,byrelatedlifeeventsandby
developingsocialbonds,dependingonthemeaningof
thoseeventsandbondsfortheoffender.Desistancemay
beprovokedbysomeone‘believingin’theoffender.
Hopeseemstobeanimportantfactor.
Thereisanimportantongoingdebateaboutwhetheror
notdesistancetypicallyinvolvesachangeinnarrative
identities(orself-stories).However,itislikelythatsome
formofnarrativereconstructionisnecessaryfor
persistentoffenders.Desistanceseemstoinvolve
discovering(ordeveloping)agency–theabilitytomake
choicesandgovernone’sownlife.Persistentoffenders
tendtobefatalistic.Formanydesisters,desistanceis
about‘redemption’orrestoration;itofteninvolves
findingpurposethrough‘generativeactivities’.
Understanding social capitalDifferentformsofcapital,differenttypesofresourceson
whichpeoplecantrade,aresignificantinthedesistance
process.Desistanceprobablyrequiresmorethanjustthe
developmentofhumancapital(meaningcapacitiesor
resourcesthatliewithintheperson).Thissuggeststhat
‘offendermanagement’needstobeaboutmorethan
sponsoringchangewithinoffenders.Socialcapitalrefers
totheresourcesthatinhereinoursocialnetworksand
relationships.Therearedifferenttypesofsocialcapital:
n Bondingsocialcapital(horizontal):denotesties
betweenpeopleinsimilarcircumstances(families,
closefriends,neighbours).Strongties(homophily),
servingexpressivepurposes.
n Bridgingsocialcapital(horizontal):includesmore
distantties(loosefriendshipsandworkmates).Weak
ties(heterophily),servinginstrumentalpurposes.
n Linkingsocialcapital(vertical):connectstounlike
peopleindissimilarsituations,enablingaccessto
amuchwiderrangeofresources,externaltothe
community,servinginstrumentalpurposes.
(seeforexamplePutnam(2000);Woolcock(2001);
Lin(2001))
Social capital, offending and desistanceSeveralstudieshaveexaminedhowsocialcapital
contributestooffendingandtheprocessofdesistance.
Amongtheirfindingsare:
n Areassufferingfromsocio-economicdeclineand
embeddeddisadvantagemayhavestrong
neighbourhoodswithsignificantbondingsocial
capital–butthistendstomeanclosetiesbutlimited
mobilities.Moreover,repeatoffendersinsuch
communitiesoftenexperiencediminishingand
disruptedbondingsocialcapitalandaretherefore
drivenbackintoproblematicnetworksthatfrustrate
desistance.(Websteretal.,2006)
n Moregenerally,itmaybethatoffendingand
desistancearebestunderstoodasanage-related
processoftransition:offendersoftenbegin
offendinginchildhood,persistthrough‘youth’and
desistasadults.Onewayofexplainingthisisto
considerthedifferencesinourabilitiestoaccumulate
andexpendcapitalatdifferentstagesinthelife
cycle.Theelongatedyouth-adulttransitionstypical
oflate-modern,post-industrialsocietiesmay
frustratedesistancebylimitingaccesstolegitimate
socialcapitalandinfluencingyoungpeopleto
accumulatetoexpendillicitformsofcapital.
(Barry,2006)
‘Offender management’ and social capitalWhatdoweknowaboutwhatprobationandother
servicesmightdoinordertoassistoffenderstodesist?
n ‘Indirectprobationwork’hasbeenfoundtohavean
importanteffectthroughworkingonstrengthening
relationshipsandemploymentprospects.Probation
officerscouldandshouldactaslinkstosocialcapital
andactivatorsofsocialcapital.Probationworkwith
families(familiesoforiginandofformation)was
significantforprobationers.Probationofficerswere
alsoimportantindevelopingtheworkprospectsof
probationersviajobcreationschemes(socialcapital),
aswellasemployability(humancapital)work.(Farrall
2002,2004)
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Tenth Annual Conference – Community, Custody and Aftercare: The Journey Towards Social Inclusion
n Whatkindsofsupportmatteredtopeopleon
probationtryingtoaddresssocialproblems?They
valuebeinglistenedto,talkingaboutproblems,
receivingadviceandguidance,workingin
partnership,andinvolvingtheirfamilies.Tosome
extentthecontemporaryemphasisonoffence-
focussedworkcanmarginalisesuchsupport,but
suchworkmattersinhelpingoffenderstomake
linksbetweeninterventionsandwiderprocesses
ofchangeintheirlives.(McCulloch,2005)
Giving up… and giving back (McNeill and Maruna, �00�)Desistancealsoseemstobepromptedby,ortoinvolve,
developinggenerativeactivities.Generativitycanbe
definedas:‘Theconcernforandcommitmentto
promotingthenextgeneration,manifestedthrough
parenting,teaching,mentoring,andgenerating
productsandoutcomesthataimtobenefityouthand
fosterthedevelopmentandwell-beingofindividuals
andsocialsystemsthatwilloutlivetheself’(McAdams
anddeSt.Aubin,1998).Intermsofthelifecourse,
generativitydevelopsatthetimethatdelinquency
dissipates;generativecommitmentsfillavoid,making
criminalitypointlessortoorisky.
‘Redemptionscripts’arecare-oriented,other-centred
andfocusedonpromotingthenextgeneration:
somethingtoshowforone’slife;rewards,respectability,
andrecognition–alllinkedtogenerativepursuits.
(Maruna,2001)
Therearefourkeyimplicationsintermsofusingsocial
capitaltoencouragedesistance:
a) Reintegration and families of origin
Weneedtoreasserttheimportanceof:
n Engagementwithfamilies(oforigin)throughhome
visitsandfamilywork.
n Rebuildingandrenewingpositivefamilybonds,
allowingaccesstotheresourcesofbondingsocial
capital.
However,thesuitabilityofthisstrategydependsonthe
ageandstageoftheoffender,andthenatureofthe
familyanditsdynamics.
b) Reintegration and families of formation
Thesignificanceofgenerativitysuggestsaproductive
focusforreintegrationaroundnewanddeveloping
relationships;parentingandpreparationforparenting;
andotherpotentialgenerativeactivities,includingcivic
volunteering.Suchworkmayhelpex-offenderstobuild
newbondingsocialcapitalandtodevelopnewbridging
socialcapital,vianewrelationshipsandassociations
relatedtogenerativeactivities.
c) Reintegration and community development
Effectivereintegrationrequiresengagingcommunitiesin
orderto:
n Prepare(ex-)offendersforandassistthemin
accessingwidersocialnetworks,includingthrough
employment(bridging).
n Preparecommunities(includingemployersandother
agencies)for(ex-)offendersandsupportthemin
workingwith(ex-)offenders.
Thismediationandadvocacyisnecessaryinorderto
facilitatethedevelopmentofbridgingsocialcapital
withincommunitiesandinthedevelopmentoflinking
capitalacrosssocialgroupsandsocialhierarchies.
d) Reintegration and public attitudes
Developingthesocialcapitalofavilifiedgroupisnot
easyininsecure,late-modernsocieties.Itrequires
probationandotherservicestogivesomeattentionto
communityre-assuranceandcommunityengagement
andtothinkaboutthesignalsthattheysendintermsof
crime,justiceandsecurity(Innes,2004).Itispossible
thatcommunitiesthatfeelbetterprotectedwillbemore
willingtoreintegrateandincludeex-offenders(Bottoms
andWilson,2004).Communityjusticeandreintegration
agenciesthereforeneedtosendsignalstothe
communitytochangepublicattitudes:
n control/protectionsignalsthatmakecommunities
feelsafer;
n restitution/reparationsignalsthatsatisfylegitimate
demandsforjustice;and
n reformation/redemptionsignalsthatpromotebelief
thatpeoplecananddochangeandshouldbe
supportedtodoso,inallofourinterests.
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Association for Criminal Justice Research and Development Ltd
Thesuccessofsuchsignalsmayhavemajor
consequencesforthecapacityofthecriminaljustice
systemtogeneratewideropportunitiesforthe
developmentofsocialcapital,andwithitreductionsin
re-offending.
References and resourceswww.sccjr.ac.uk
websiteoftheScottishCentreforCrimeandJustice
Research
Barry,M.(2006)YouthOffendinginTransition.The
SearchforSocialRecognition.London:Routledge.
Farrall,S.(2002),RethinkingWhatWorkswith
Offenders:Probation,SocialContextandDesistance
fromCrime.Cullompton:WillanPublishing.
Farrall,S.(2004a)‘Supervision,motivationandsocial
context:Whatmattersmostwhenprobationersdesist?’
inMair,G.(ed.)(2004)WhatMattersinProbation.
Cullompton:Willan.
Farrall,S.(2004b)‘Socialcapital,probationsupervision
anddesistancefromcrime’,inMaruna.S.and
Immarigeon,R.(eds.)AfterCrimeandPunishment:
Ex-OffenderReintegrationandDesistancefromCrime.
Cullompton:Willan.
Lin,N.(2001)Socialcapital:atheoryofsocialstructure
andaction.Cambridge:CambridgeUniversityPress.
McAdams,D.P.anddeSt.Aubin,E.(1998)
‘Introduction’inD.P.McAdams&E.deSt.Aubin(eds),
Generativityandadultdevelopment:Howandwhywe
careforthenextgeneration(pp.xix–xxiv)Washington,
DC:AmericanPsychologicalAssociation.
McCulloch,P.(2005)‘Probation,socialcontextand
desistance:Retracingtherelationship’,Probation
Journal,52(1):8-22.
McNeill,F.andMaruna,S.(2007forthcoming)‘Giving
UpandGivingBack:Desistance,GenerativityandSocial
WorkwithOffenders’inMcIvor,G.andRaynor,P.(eds.)
DevelopmentsinWorkwithOffenders.London:
Routledge.
Maruna,S.(2001)MakingGood.Washington,D.C.:
AmericanPsychologicalAssociation.
Putnam,R.D.(2000)BowlingAlone:Thecollapseand
revivalofAmericancommunity.NewYork:Simon&
Schuster.
SocialExclusionUnit(2002)Reducingreoffendingby
ex-prisoners.London:OfficeoftheDeputyPrimeMinister.
Webster,C.MacDonald,R.andSimpson,M.(2006)
‘PredictingCriminality?RiskFactors,Neighbourhood
InfluenceandDesistance’,YouthJustice,6(1):7-22.
Woolcock,M.(2001)‘ThePlaceofSocialCapitalin
UnderstandingSocialandEconomicOutcomes’inJohn
F.Helliwell(ed.)TheContributionofHumanandSocial
CapitaltoSustainedEconomicGrowthandWell-Being.
Ottawa:HDRC(ProceedingsofanOECD/HRDC
conference,Quebec,March19-21,2000).
Young,J.(1999)TheExclusiveSociety.London:Sage.
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Tenth Annual Conference – Community, Custody and Aftercare: The Journey Towards Social Inclusion
CongratulationstotheAssociationforCriminalJustice
ResearchandDevelopment.You’veorganisedan
extraordinaryprogrammeforyourTenthAnnual
ConferenceandI’mtrulyhonouredtobeincluded.Thank
you,MauraButlerandGeraldineComerfordforinvitingme
toparticipate.I’mparticularlypleasedtobehereinthe
companyofSecretaryGeneralSeánAylward,oneofthe
foundersofthisassociation.ButforSeán,I’dstillbe
workingawayinBoston.Itwashisinfectiouspassionfor
hisworkandcommitmenttoreformthatconvincedme
tomovethreethousandmilesfromhome.Noregrets
whatsoever.Thisisanexciting,changinglandscapeandit’s
aprivilegetobeapartofit.Asarelativenewcomertothis
island,Iappreciatetheopportunitytolearnfromallofyou
andI’mcertainthatI’vegainedmorefromthisexperience
alreadytodaythanI’llcontribute.
WhilethisismyfirstexposuretheAssociationforCriminal
JusticeResearchandDevelopment,itiscleartome,having
reviewedsomeofyourmaterials,thatI’minthepositionof
preachingtothebelieversthisevening.I’vecometorealise
overthecourseof28yearsinpolicing,thatastrongmulti-
disciplinary,collaborativeapproachisnotonlybeneficialin
thecriminaljusticearena–itisabsolutelyessential.Itis
clearfromthisgroup’strackrecordand,indeed,fromthe
agendayou’vedevelopedforthisprogrammethatweall
shareinthisbelief.
I’dliketotouchbrieflyonthreethingsthisevening-first,
theglobalchangethathasoccurredoverthepastfew
decadesinpolicingandcriminaljustice-second,the
importanceofcollaborationandsomereallifeexamplesof
it.Onthesefirsttwotopics,I’llspeakwiththebenefitof
myexperienceinU.S.policing.Inwrappingup,I’llcovera
thirdtopic-myfirstimpressionsofpolicinghereIreland
andsomethoughtsformovingforward.
A quick trip down Memory Lane Istartedmypolicecareerataverydifferentplaceintime
–whengroupssuchasthisdidn’texistandcollaboration
wasawordforeigntomyvocabulary.WhileI’mnotone
todwellonthepast,Ithinkit’simportantto
acknowledgetheevolutionthathastakenplaceinthe
criminaljusticearenasinceIfirststartedinthepolice
servicemanyyearsago.
WhileIhavefondmemoriesofmyBostonPolice
Academyexperiencebackin1979,unfortunately,Ican’t
sayitsufficientlypreparedmeforthechallengesIfaced
asayoungpatrolofficer.Inessence,Iattendedamilitary
bootcamp.Noexaggeration.Myphysicaltraining
instructorwasaformerU.S.Marine.Wespentan
inordinateamountoftimeondrillandceremonyand
littleornotimeonpreventionandproblemsolving.
Wewereencouragedtogooutandfightthewaron
crime,thepolicevs.thecommunity.
DuringthoseearlydaysasayoungBostonpoliceofficer,
Inevercrossedpathswithprobationofficersorparole
officers.Socialworkersandhealthcareproviders
operatedinadifferentworld.Occasionally,Ididsee
ateacher,butonlywhendeliveringatruantbackto
school.NGOwasacompletelyunfamiliartermandthe
privatesectorwasnotonlyadifferentworld,buta
differentuniverse.
Wedrovefastcarswithlightsandsirensandchased
Priority911calls.Imadelotsofarrests,savedsomelives,
deliveredafewbabiesandlovedeveryminuteofit.
Itwasallveryexcitingandwecertainlyworkedhard.
Butunfortunatelywefailed.Crimeratesinour
neighbourhoodscontinuedtosoarandthequalityof
lifeinourcitycontinuedtodeteriorate.Somethingwas
dramaticallywrongwithourpolicingstrategy.
Itwasn’tuntiltheearlytomid-eightiesthatsomeof
themorethoughtfulcriminaljusticeacademicsand
progressivepolicemanagersintheU.S.startedtalking
aboutanewparadigm–thebirthof,orsomewould
argue,therebirth of communitypolicing.It’saterm
thatwasverybroadlyusedatthetimetodescribea
varietyofpolicingstrategiesthatemerged.The
definitionusuallydifferedfromcitytocity,townto
AFTER-D INNERSPEAKERKathleenO’Toole,ChiefInspector,GardaSíochánaInspectorate
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Association for Criminal Justice Research and Development Ltd
town.Infact,it’satermthatisstillwidelyused,but
seldomsufficientlyorproperlydefined.
Fortunately,BostonwasoneofthefirstU.S.citiesto
embracethisnewnotionofcommunitypolicingduring
the1980s.Whiletheirintentionsweregood,ourpolice
leadersatthetimedebatedhowthisnewtheorywould
applyintherealworld.Differingopinionsemerged.
Totheircredit,atleasttheywerewillingtoexperiment
andstucktoit.
InBoston,first,therewerethenewlydesignated
‘communitypoliceofficers’.Irememberbeingaskedby
mysupervisor,SergeantCelona,ifI’dconsiderapplying
fortheposition.‘Godno’,Isaid,‘I’marealcop.I’mnot
asocialworker’.It’sfrighteningwhenIthinkbackonit,
butsadly,thatwasmyresponse.Idon’tthinkanyone
volunteeredandthosewhowereassignedwereoften
tauntedbytheirpeers.Intheeyesofthe‘realcops’,
thesecommunityofficers(a.k.a.socialworkers)only
providedonebenefit.Theyexcusedtherestofusfrom
doingit.Wewantednopartofit.Wecontinued
respondingtoourradiocallsforfeloniesandlife-
threateningsituations.Afterall,that’swhatwewere
trainedtodo.That’swhatpolicingwasallaboutin
oureyes–carchases,gunfights,felonyarrests–the
waroncrime.
Ittooktimeformoreeffectivecommunitypolicingto
takerootinBoston.Weeventuallyrealisedthatourwar
oncrimewasgettingusnowhere.Communityleaders
wereangryanddemandingmore.Weweredesperateto
stemthetideofviolenceanddisorderthatplaguedso
manyneighbourhoods,especiallythoseinourinner
cities.Youthviolencewasofparticularconcern,with
gangcrimeandteenagehomicideratesgrowingata
staggeringpaceinthelateeightiesandearlynineties.
Inretrospect,itwasdefinitelythatyoungbloodshed
onurbanstreetsthatprovidedthecatalystforchange.
Thepolicewerekeyagentsinthatchangeprocess,
butrepresentativesfromotherfacetsofcriminaljustice
wereequallycommitted.Wereachedouttocommunity
leadersinthemostchallengeddistrictswho,totheir
credit,steppedupandralliedtheirneighboursin
supportofcollaborativeinitiativestotakebackourcity,
blockbyblockifnecessary.
Solidpartnershipswerekeytoourefforts.Wenotonly
brokedownturfbarriersandlearnedtoharnessour
criminaljusticeassets;weinvolvedthedepartmentof
education,theclergy,heathservices,mentalheath
services,socialservices,NGOs,theprivatesector.You
nameit.IfI’vemissedanyone,Iapologise.Wewelcomed
allhonestbrokers.Weinsistedthatindividualagendasbe
leftatthedoorandgaveeveryoneanequalvoiceatthe
table.Yes,thereweresomeveryspiriteddebates,butwe
workedthroughthem.Wehadto.Ourgoalwastoo
precious–tosaveourcity,especiallyourchildren.
Sobeganournew,sensiblemodelofpolicing.Didwe
establishpolicestatesinourpoorurbanneighbourhoods?
NO.Didwesaturatethestreetswithriotpolicewith
automaticweapons?NO.Didwerelentlesslyharass
youngmenofcolourwhowereloiteringonstreet
cornersbecausetheywereunemployed?NO.Didwe
establishcurfewsandarrestquotas?NO.
What did we do?Afterbreakingtheturfbarriers,welearnedtobetter
harnessourresources.Usingtimelyinformationand
goodtechnologytools,wefocusedoureffortswith
greaterprecisiononimpactplayersandkeylocations.
Sure,wemadelifemiserableforthethugs,the2-3%
ofthepopulationwhowerewreakinghavocforthe
vastmajority-thedecent,law-abidingpeoplewhohad,
unfortunately,beenlivinginterror.Forthegoodkids,
orthoseontheedge,weprovidedopportunities:
after-schoolprogrammes,summercamps,mentoring
programs,part-timeandsummerjobs.Wedeveloped
re-entrystrategiesforoffenderswhowouldinevitably
returntoourcommunities.Weworkedwithpoliticians
andtheprivatesectortoimproveinfrastructureand
services,toregenerateneighbourhoodsandaddress
qualityoflifeissues.Wecametorealisethatprevention
andinterventionareasimportant,orshouldIsay,more
importantthanenforcement.Weweredeterminedto
preventthetragediesratherthanpickupthepieces
afterthefact.
Communitypolicingwasnolongeranassignmentora
unit.Itwastheethosonwhicheverythingelsewasbuilt.
Anditwasn’tlefttothepolicealone.Everysuccessful
strategywasaholisticone,involvingengagedand
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Tenth Annual Conference – Community, Custody and Aftercare: The Journey Towards Social Inclusion
committedcommunitymembersandpartner
organisations.The‘realcops’stillracedto911callsfrom
timetotime,butfinallyunderstoodthattheBoston
PoliceDepartmentwasapoliceserviceandnotsimply
apoliceforce.The‘samecop,sameneighbourhood’
deploymentstrategypaidhugedividends,buildingtrust
andalliancesbetweenpoliceonthefrontlinesand
thoseworkingandlivinginourcommunities.
Thegoodnews–successcamequicklyontheheelsof
ournewmodel.In1990,theworstyearever,therewere
morethan150homicidesintheCityofBoston,mostof
themgangrelated,manyvictimsyoungteenagers.In
justafewyears,wecutthatnumberinhalf.
WhileBostonandmanyotherU.S.citiesremainmuch
safertodaythantheywereadecadeortwoago,thereis
anunfortunatefootnotetothisstory.U.S.Government
prioritiesshiftedattheturnofthemillennium.The
substantialfederalpolicinggrantsoftheninetieswere
slashed.Ofcourse,thesecutsparticularlyhithomein
theurbancentres,intheveryareaswherewewere
finallymakingprogress.WhatdidthatmeantoBoston,
forexample?Nomoresamecop,sameneighbourhood.
Wehad15%fewpolice.Worsethanthat,manyof
thesuccessfulprevention,intervention,anddiversion
programmesthatwe’dworkedsohardtodevelop
sufferedseriouscutbacks.Allofthisinthefaceofa
rapidlyincreasingjuvenilepopulation.
Whileitsoundsabitdire,mostofusherehavebeenin
ourrespectivepositionslongenoughtohaveseenthe
fiscalpendulumswingfromsidetoside.I’mtheeternal
optimistandcanalreadyseesomelightattheendof
thetunnelforthoseintheU.S.There’snowapolitical
revoltandfortunately,policechiefsandothercriminal
justiceprofessionalsarenotaloneinleadingthecharge.
Thecommunitiesweworkedsohardtoengagearenow
standingshouldertoshoulderwiththeirpartnersonthe
frontlinesdemandingareturntotheprioritiesofthe
ninetiesandearly2000s.Andwhilefiscaltimeshave
beenchallenging,therelationshipsremainintact.We
nowknowwhatdoeswork-thestrategiesthatare
triedandtrue.Collaboration–Prevention–Intervention
–andyes,whenneeded,focused,relentless,effective
enforcement.Allofthisbuiltonasolidfoundationof
communitypolicingandhumanrights.
IrelandIfitworksinBostonandNewYorkandChicago,will
itworkinDublin,Limerick,andCork?Abitaboutmy
firstimpressionsofIrishpolicing.Inmyexperience,
therearemanythingsthatareuniversaltopolicing
indemocracies.ConsiderthePattenReport,issuedin
1999.175recommendations,mostofthemgeneral
topolicinginanydemocraticenvironment–onlyafew
ofthemspecifictothecultureanduniquechallenges
ofNorthernIreland.
That’showtheGardaInspectoratewilldoitsworkhere
inIreland.Wewillnotreinventthewheel.Underlaw,
theGardaSíochánaActof2005,ourremitrequiresus
tobenchmarktheIrishPoliceagainstbestinternational
practices–tobringgreatereffectivenessandefficiency
topolicinginIreland.Ontheotherhand,mycolleagues
andIrecognisetheneedtocultureproofour
recommendationsfortheuniqueIrishenvironment.
Forinstance,wehavegreatrespectforthefactthat
themembersofAnGardaSíochánapolicetheir
communitieswhileroutinelyunarmed.Wehopethat
willalwaysbethecase.
First impressions of IrelandHereisaquicksynopsisofmyfirstimpressionsof
policinginIreland.
Thelandscapeischangingrapidlyandnewchallenges
haveemerged.Guns,gangsanddrugsaremore
prevalent(fortunately,notasprevalentasintheplace
Icamefrom).
Thereisnoreasontoreinventthewheel.Strategiesthat
haveworkedelsewherecanbefine-tunedfortheunique
Irishenvironment.
Thegoodnews:thevastmajorityofIrishpeoplestill
supportAnGardaSíochána.I’vespentlotsoftime
talkingtopoliceonthefrontlinesoverthepastyear,
butI’vespentequaltimetalkingtothepeoplethey
serve.Yes,withrecenttribunalreports,confidencehas
beenshaken,andrightfullyso.
Theremustbeanacknowledgementofthemistakesof
thepastandaplantoensurethattheproblemsdonot
resurface.
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Yes,theIrishpeoplearelookingforreassurance,they
aredemandingmorevisibleandeffectiveservice,but
theystillstandfirmlybehindtheirpolice.
Also,onapositivenote–thevastmajorityofpolice
(withfewexceptions)recognisetheneedtoembrace
change–theywanttobeaprofessional,modernpolice
service.Theyarewillingtoconsidernewideasandhave
welcomedoutsideinput.
Imustsaythatthequalityofpersonnelhereisexcellent,
betteronaveragethanthepoliceagenciesI’veworked
inorstudied.
Therearemanyintelligentandcommittedindividuals
throughouttheranks.Thatbodeswellforthefuture.
Mostimportant,it’stimetomoveon.While
acknowledgingthepast,wecan’tdwellonit.Thereis
toomuchatstake–ourcities,ourtowns,ourrural
communities,ourchildren.
Nowisthetimetoconcentrateonthefuture–forallof
ustobettercollaborate,toharnessresources,tofocus
oureffortsandtocreateamodelofcommunitypolicing
andcommunityjusticesecondtonone.
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Tenth Annual Conference – Community, Custody and Aftercare: The Journey Towards Social Inclusion
Thelinkbetweenre-offending,reintegrationand
housingproblemshasbeenidentifiedinprevious
research(Farrall,2002;SocialExclusionUnit,2002).
However,beyondanacknowledgementofthe
relationshipbetweenoffendingandhomelessness,there
hasbeenlittleexplorationinthecriminaljustice
literatureaboutthecontextandexperienceof
homelessnessorhowitimpactsonattemptsat
reintegration.Thispaperbeginsbyexaminingthe
definitionandconceptualisationofhomelessnessbefore
goingontoexaminethepathwaysintoandthrough
homelessnessandthebarrierstoreintegrationas
identifiedfromtheprisoners’perspective.These
pathwaysandperspectivesprovidesomeinsightintothe
relationshipbetweenhomelessness,problemswith
reintegrationandre-offending.Thefindingssuggest
thatcontrarytocommonstereotypesofhomelessness,
theexperienceisdiverseintermsofthecause,lengthof
time,locationofhomelessnessandexperienceof
institutionalisation.Thepaperconcludesbysuggesting
thatindividualsdemonstratesomecapacityto‘manage’
theirhomelessness,fromconsiderationsrelatingto
disclosureoftheirhomelessstatustodecisionsabout
homelessaccommodation–theimplicationsoftheseare
discussedwithinthecontextofreintegration.
Thispaperisbasedonfindingsfromquestionnairebased
interviewswithasampleof241prisonersacrossallof
theseveninstitutionsoftheIrishPrisonServiceinDublin;
officialcourtrecordsofindividuals[9,794cases]
(excludingsummons)appearingbeforetheDistrict
(includingtheChildrenandDrugTreatmentCourt)and
CircuitCourtsintheDublinMetropolitanareaandall
referralstotheProbationServiceoverasix-weekperiod.
Defining and Quantifying HomelessnessHomelessnessisdiverselyexplainedasasituation
characterisedbypoverty,socialexclusion,
disengagementandisolation.Itmaybe‘visible’inthe
formofindividualslivinginpublicplacesor‘concealed’
incaseswhereindividualsstaytemporarilywithfamily
andfriendsbecausenootherhousingalternativeexists
orisaccessibletothem.Theproblemofdefining
homelessnessiscompoundedbythemannerinwhich
theconceptisinterpreted.Astudyofyounghomeless
peoplefortheThreeCitiesProject(Carlen,1996)found
thatalthoughallparticipantsweresleepingrough,
stayinginhomelesshostelsorintemporary
accommodationatthetimeofinterview,only67per
centdescribedthemselvesashomeless.Thiswasdueto
someparticipantsinterpretinghomelessnessonlyasthe
notionofsleepingroughandnotiftheyhadsomeform
ofaccommodation,howeverunstable,suchasahostel
bed.Othersdidnotconsiderthemselveshomeless
becausetheywereemployedorenrolledineducation.
Suchdifferencesintheinterpretationoftheconcept
indicatethatthetermhomelessnessis‘encrustedwith
layersofothersignificationsrelatingto(lackof)social
tiesand(lackof)socialrespectability’(Carlen,
1996:104).
Quantifyingthenumberofindividualsinthecriminal
justicesystemwithhousingdifficultiesisequally
problematic.IntheUK,itisestimatedthatintheregion
ofone-thirdofindividualsarenotlivinginpermanent
housingpriortoimprisonment(SocialExclusionUnit,
2002).Fearingthatdisclosureoftheirhomelessstatus
HOMELESSNESSANDOFFENDING:MARGINALISATION,SEGREGATIONANDTHECHALLENGESTOSOCIALINCLUSIONDrMaireadSeymour,SchoolofSocialSciencesandLaw,DublinInstituteofTechnology
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Association for Criminal Justice Research and Development Ltd
willincreasethelikelihoodofbeingsenttocustody,
orreducetheirchancesoftemporaryrelease,itisnot
uncommonforhomelessoffenderstoprovideaprevious
addressorafamilyorfriend’saddresstothecourtsor
prisonauthorities(Baldry,2001).Asaresult,official
statisticsarelikelytounder-representtheactualnumber
ofhomelessindividualsinthecriminaljusticesystem.
Inthepresentstudy,itemergedthatonly1.6percent
ofindividualsappearingbeforethecourtsintheDublin
Metropolitanareaand9.3percentofcasesreferredto
theProbationServiceoverasixweekperiodwereidentified
ashomeless.Incontrast,self-reportdatagatheredfrom
questionnairebasedinterviewswithprisonersfoundthat
25percentreportedbeinghomelessatthetimeof
committaltoprisononthecurrentoccasion.
Pathways into HomelessnessAlmosttwo-thirds(64%)ofallprisonerswithacurrent
orprevioushistoryofhomelessnessstatedthattheirfirst
homelessexperienceoccurredbeforeorduringtheir
teenageyears(13-19years).Whilethereasonsfor
homelessnesswerediverse,thefactorsmostcommonly
associatedwiththefirsthomelesseventwererelated
tofamilyrows/relationshipbreakdownand/oralcohol
anddrugproblems.Researchpresentedinareportby
CASE(2000)suggeststhatfamilyconflictisoneofthe
strongesttriggersforyouthhomelessnessinthe
immediatetermanditisalsolinkedtoanincreasedrisk
ofhomelessnessinthefuture.Furthermore,inlinewith
previousresearch(RandallandBrown,1999),overone-
thirdofprisonershomelessoncommittalreportedthat
theyhadspenttimeinresidentialcareasachild.When
askedabouttheirperceptionsoffamilycontactand
supportbefore,duringandafterimprisonment,
homelessprisonersalsoreportedlowerlevelsoffamily
contactthantheremainderofprisonersinthesample.
Giventheearlyageofentryontothehomelesscircuit
itisperhapstobeexpectedthatprisonerswereunlikely
toidentify‘leavingprison’asthereasonforfirst
becominghomeless.Only7%ofthosewithahistory
ofhomelessnessidentified‘leavingprison’asthereason
forfirstbecominghomeless.Rather,itappearedthatfor
thosewithexperienceofhomelessnessbeforecommittal
tocustody,imprisonmentwaspotentiallya‘trigger’for
subsequentepisodesofhomelessness.Thetimeof
releasefromprisonhasbeenidentifiedas‘atriggerthat
leadsdirectlytothestreets’(GreaterLondonResearch
Authority,2000:7).Thismaybeduetofactorssuchas
prisonerslosingtheirlocalauthoritytenancyorprivate
rentedaccommodationoncommittaltoprison,and/or
abreakdowninfamilyorpartnerrelationships,amongst
otherfactors.Withoutadequateplanningpriorto
release,toarrangeaccommodationandwelfare
payments,prisonerscanfindthemselveswithfew
alternativestohomelessness.
Theevidencesuggeststhatthosewithvulnerable
personalcircumstancesatthetimeofentrytoprison
aremostatriskofhomelessnessonrelease-inastudy
bytheGreaterLondonResearchAuthority(2000)it
emergedthatthosewithsupportivefamilyandother
inter-personalrelationshipswerereturningtotheir
previoushomewhereasthosewithunstablehousing
arrangementspriortoimprisonmentwerebeing
releasedintosimilarcircumstances.Thesefindingsare
supportedinthecurrentstudywhereitwasfoundthat
80percentofhomelessprisonerscomparedtoonly27
percentoftheremainderthoughthousingwouldbea
problematicissueonrelease.Therewere,however,a
numberofprisonerswhohadneverbeenhomelessprior
tocommittaltoprisononthecurrentoccasion,but
consideredthathousingwouldbeaproblematicissue
forthemonrelease.Almostone-thirdofthosewho
hadaccommodationpriortoimprisonmentreported
thattheywereunableto,prohibitedfrom,orchosenot
toreturntotheiraccommodation,andweretherefore
potentiallyatriskofhomelessness.Thesefindingsreflect
similarpatternsfromstudiesofhomelessprisonersin
theUK(Carlisle,1996;Paylor,1992)andindicatethat
homelessnessisaconsiderableproblemformany
individualsleavingprison.
The Homeless Process and the Criminal Justice SystemAgrowingbodyofliteratureonhomelessnessinthe
generalhomelesspopulation(Anderson&Tulloch,2000;
Fitzpatricketal.,2000)identifieshomelessnessasa
processratherthanastaticsituation.Itisdescribedas
‘thenotionthatindividualsandhouseholdsmaymove
betweenbeinghomeless,poorlyhousedand
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Tenth Annual Conference – Community, Custody and Aftercare: The Journey Towards Social Inclusion
adequately/well-housed’(Anderson&Tulloch,2000:4).
Anaddeddimensiontothe‘homelessprocess’forthose
whocomeintocontactwiththecriminaljusticesystem
isthepossibilityofmovingintotheprisonsystem.
Themajorityofhomelessprisonersinthisstudyhada
diverseandlengthyhistoryofbothhomelessnessand
imprisonmentpriortotheircurrentcommittal.
Overall,thediversityofthehomelessexperiencefor
prisonerscouldbecategorisedunderanumberof
headingsincludingtheepisodicnatureofhomelessness;
lengthoftimehomeless;locationofhomelessnessand
institutionalisation(imprisonment).
Episodes of HomelessnessAmajorityofindividualsmovedinandoutof
homelessnessfromthetimeoffirstentry.Justover40%
experiencedhomelessnessasonecontinuousperiod;in
contrast,almost60%hadbeenhomelesstwoormore
timesovertheirhomeless‘career’(ofthose25%had
beenhomeless10ormoretimes).Forthislattergroup,
homelessnesswasapathwayfromwhereonediverted
intermittentlyontoanon-homelessroutebyvirtueof
returningtothefamilyhome,co-habitingwithanon-
homelesspartnerand/oraccessingindependenthousing.
Length of Time HomelessHomelessprisonerswerenotonlylikelytohave
experiencedhomelessnessfromayoungage,butthey
hadalreadyspentsubstantialperiodsoftimehomelessin
theirlives.Themajorityofthosehomelessoncommittal
toprisononthecurrentoccasion(88percent)hadbeen
homelessformorethansixmonthsand58percenthad
beenhomelessforthreeyearsormore.Theimplications
ofthesefindingsareimportantespeciallyinthecontext
thatthelongerindividualsarehomeless,themoredifficult
itisforthemtoreintegrateintomainstreamsociety
(HomelessAgency,2001).
Location of HomelessnessThediversityofthehomelessexperiencewasreflectedin
therangeoflocationswhereindividualsstayed.Allof
thosewhowerecurrentlyorpreviouslyhomelesswere
askedtoidentifytherangeofplacestheyhadstayed
whilehomeless.Themostcommonarrangementswere
stayingtemporarilywithfamilyandfriends(75%),
sleepingrough(64%),stayinginacar(63%),inahostel
(56%),inaB&B(56%)inasquat(48%),intransitional
housingunits(6%),and/orinlongtermsupported
housing(2%).Otherplacesindividualsrecalledstaying
inincludedhotels,housingassociations,atent,agarage,
thebackofchurches,fieldsandcaravans.
Almosttwo-thirds(64%)ofallprisonerswithaprevious
orcurrenthistoryofhomelessnesshadsleptrough.Over
halfofthosewhoprovidedreasonssaiditwasbecause
theydidnotlikehostels.Prisonersweremostcritical
abouttheuseofhostelsasaformofaccommodation,
describingthesenseofinstitutionalisation,routineand
rulesassociatedwithsucharrangements.Oneofthemain
themesthatemergedwasthereluctanceofprisonersto
usehostelsifattemptingtostayoffdrugs:
Ifyouwanttobetteryourselfyoucan’tbeputbackinto
thesametypeofenvironmentwithdrugaddictsand
drunkards.Thereisnopointinreleasingaprisonerinto
ahostel,it’slikereleasingsomeonefromoneprisonto
another.Everyblokeyoumeetinthehostelyoumeetin
here.Amonthortwomonthslater,you’reback,it’sadead
endsituation(Male235,Remandprisoner,Cloverhill,Aged
45,stayinginahomelesshosteloncommittal).
InstitutionalisationCarlen(1983)arguesthathomelesspeopleareover-
representedintheprisonpopulationfortwomain
reasons.Firstly,theyhaveahigherreconvictionratethan
domiciledoffendersandsecondlytheirhousingstatus
maybeinstrumentalinacourt’sdecisiontoremandthem
tocustodyandsentencethemtoimprisonment.An
analysisofDublinDistrictCourtrecordsofhomeless
offenderssuggeststhathomelessoffendershaveahigher
numberofchargesagainstthemthandomiciledoffenders
(4.5versus1.5charges).However,inthemajorityofcases
thenatureofthecrimesarerelativelyminorinnature
e.g.theft,publicorderetc.Snowetal.(1989)alsooutline
anumberofprocessesbywhichhomelesspeopleand
roughsleepersinparticulararemorelikelytocommitan
offence.Theseincludeengagingincriminalbehaviourto
surviveonthestreets;thecriminalisationofstreetlife
includingdrinkinginpublic;andthestigmatisationof
streethomelessnesswherebytheirvisibilitymaymeanthat
theyaremorelikelytobeformallyprocessedforoffences
thatmightotherwisebeignored.
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Asmentionedearlier,institutionalisationwasafeature
ofthehomelessprocessformanyhomelessprisoners.
Over90%ofthosecaseswhowerehomelesson
committaltoprisonandwheretheinformationwas
availablehadbeeninprisoninthepreviousfiveyears.
Themajority(69%)hadbeeninprisonbetweenoneand
fivetimesinthepreviousfiveyearsandalmostone-
quarter(24%)hadbeeninonsixormoreoccasions
withinthesametimeframe.
Prisonappearedtorepresentmorethanapunitive
institutionforsomehomelessprisoners.Accordingto
theiraccounts,itwasaplacetoreceivemedical
attention,respitefromtheharshconditionsofthe
streets,abed,adesignatedspace,regularmealsand
aroutine;constituentsofwhichwerelargelyabsentin
theirhomelessexistenceontheoutside.Innegotiating
thepathwaysofhomelessness,prisonappearedtobe
anotherstopontheinstitutionalisedcircuitof
homelessness:
Ihavenowheretolive,atleastifIcommitcrimeI’ve
aroofovermyheadinprisonandabedtosleepin.
IcompletedatenyearsentenceinOctober2002and
Igotreleasedontothestreets.Ihadnowheretogo
andIjustwentbacktocrime.Prisoniskeepingmealive.
OnlyforprisonI’dbedeadlongago.I’dbesleepingon
thestreetsandwiththevirus(HIV)Iwouldn’tlastlong.
(Male229,Aged32,Remandprisoner,Cloverhill,
sleepingroughoncommittal)
Barriers to Social InclusionAnumberofissuesemergedinrelationtoboth
prisoners’experiencesofleavingprisonandthe
necessarystrategiesrequiredtoalleviatedifficultiesfor
thosehomelessoratriskofhomelessnessonrelease.
Theseincludedtheneedforpre-releaseplanningand
support,informationabouttheprocessofaccessing
accommodation,improvedhousingprovisionand
follow-upsupportonrelease.
Pre-release Information, Planning and SupportPrisonersarticulatedtheviewthatinformationabout
howtoaccesshousingandwelfarebenefitswas
necessarypriortorelease.Thosewhowerepreviously
homelessweremostreflectiveabouttheneedforthis
informationtobeprovidedtohomelessprisoners:
Theblokesthatarehomelessdon’thaveacluewhatto
doorwheretogo.Theyneedmoreinformationabout
whattodoandwheretogotheydon’tevenhavebasic
information-abookletshouldbeputtogether.(Male
066,SentencedPrisoner,Aged27,TrainingUnit,living
withgirlfriendoncommittal)
Inadditiontoinformationprovision,prisonersidentified
theneedforpre-releaseworktoaccesshousingand
othersupport:
Somewheresetupbeforeyouleave,somewheretoget
sorted,youwon’tgetitjustgoingstraighttosleeping
rough,somewherewhereapersoncanhelpthemselves,
abasetoworkfrom.(Male031,SentencedPrisoners,
Aged44,Mountjoy,sleepingroughoncommittal)
Overall,anumberofpotentialstrategieswereproposed
byprisonerstoimproveinformationandsupportpriorto
release–theseincludedtheprovisionofinformation
pointswithintheprison,pre-releaseprogrammesand
dayreleasetoaccessaccommodation.
Housing ProvisionPrisonerswereuniformintheirviewsthatmore
accommodationwasrequiredbutthetypesofhousing
theyidentifiedreflectedthediversityofhousingneed
amongstprisonersandappearedtobebasedon
individualcircumstanceandlifeexperience.Identified
housingneedthereforevariedfromsingleoccupancy
unitstosharedhousingandsupportedgroup
housingschemes:
Ithinkthereshouldbealotmorehelpforprisoners,a
lotofladsgoouttonothing,they’venothingtolook
forwardto,theyneedhelp,itwouldbenefitthemand
benefitsocietyitselfbecausetheywouldn’tbere-
offending(Male159,SentencedPrisoner,Wheatfield,
Aged27,rentingfromaprivatelandlordoncommittal).
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Tenth Annual Conference – Community, Custody and Aftercare: The Journey Towards Social Inclusion
Ahalfwayhousetogetstartedwouldbegood(Male
186,SentencedPrisoner,Aged33,Wheatfield,living
temporarilywithfamilyandfriendsoncommittal).
Prisonersalsoidentifiedtheneedforimprovement
withinthecurrentsystemofemergency
accommodationprovision:
Thehostelsceneisverybad,you’retreatedverybad,
youdon’twanttogotothem(Male010,Sentenced
Prisoner,Aged28,Mountjoy,livingintransitional/
supportedaccommodationoncommittal).
Lack of Follow-up Support ServicesPreviousresearchhashighlightedthenecessityof
developingpolicyandpracticetoassistprisoners
maintaintheirhousingtenancieswhileincustody,to
supportfamilyrelationshipsandtoprepareindividuals
forreleaseinordertoavoidhomelessnessandfacilitate
reintegration(Haines,1990;HowardLeague,2005).
However,itisclearthatassistancewiththisshould
extendbeyondtheprisonenvironment.Prisoners
identifiedtheneedforfollow-upsupportonrelease
fromprisonparticularlyinrelationtodrugtreatment:
Thereisnofollow-upserviceforhomelesspeople…
thelongerthey’reinthehomelesscircle,thegreaterthe
likelihoodyou’llendupondrugsandcommittingcrime.
(Male055,Aged50,SentencedPrisoner,Mountjoy,living
inshorttermhostelaccommodationbeforeprison).
Thiswouldappeartobeparticularlyimportantgiventhat
90percentofprisoners,homelessoncommittal,reported
thattheyuseddrugsandofthisgroupthemajority
(82percent)saiddrugtakingcausedproblemsintheirlives
includingfamilyrelationships,crimeandaninabilityto
maintainemploymentorstableaccommodation.
Representations of Homelessness: Implications for ReintegrationWhileacknowledgingthathomelessprisonersoften
havefewchoicesabouttheirhousingcircumstances,a
commonthemeunderlyingtheiraccountsisthewayin
whichthey‘manage’theirhomelessexperience.The
absenceofappropriateaccommodationandthemanner
inwhichthesystemprovidesforhomelessindividuals
ensuresthattheyareoftenprocessedthroughacircuit
ofpoorquality,temporaryaccommodation.However,it
seemsthathomelessindividualsexercisesomelevelof
autonomyovertheirexistencebyvirtueofnotdisclosing
theirhomelessstatus,sleepingroughratherthan
accessinghostelaccommodationandsometimes
committingcrimewiththeintentofbeingcommitted
toprison,toescapetheharshconditionsofthestreet.
Furthermore,itisapparentthatprisonershavea
structurallydifferentiatedperspectiveabouttheirhousing
requirementsrangingfromtheneedforsingleoccupancy
unitstogroupandsharedhousing;theyalsoclearly
identifyandarticulatetheneedforarangeofstrategies
toimprovethelikelihoodofsuccessfulreintegrationon
releasee.g.informationaboutapplyingforwelfare
entitlements,dayreleasetoaccesshousing,etc.
Therationalepresentedandtheagencyexecutedby
homelessoffenderstochoosesleepingroughover
hostellivingcanoftenbedismissedbyauthoritiesas
individualspassivelyexistingthroughlifeonthestreets
ratherthananacknowledgementoftheinappropriate,
unsuitableandoftenpoornatureofthe
accommodationoffered.Thisconceptualisationof
homelessnessallowsanypotentialforreintegrating
homelessindividualstoberejectedonthebasisthat
suchindividualsarebeyondredemption.Itisfurther
intensifiedbytheperceptionofdangerousness
associatedwithhomelesspeoplegeneratedbytheir
presenceinpublicspace.Overall,thecombined
outcomeoftheseconstructsofhomelessindividuals
asbothpassiveanddangerousisthattheyprovide
ajustificationforexcludingthemfromhousingand
supportservices.Atthesametime,theabsenceofa
strategy,preandpostcustody,toprovideinformation
andsupportinitiativestoassistprisonersaccesswelfare
paymentsandhousing,leavesthemwithfewoptions
buttoexistwithinthehomeless-imprisonmentcircuit.
Thiscoupledwithinadequateserviceprovisioninkey
supportareas–suchasdrugtreatment–andthewider
structuralissueoflimitedhousingoptionsprovidesa
poorframeworktotacklesocialinclusionandpromote
reintegration.
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ReferencesAnderson,IandTulloch,D.(2000)PathwaysThrough
Homelessness:AReviewoftheResearchEvidence.
HomelessTaskForceResearchSeries.ScottishHomes.
Baldry,(2001)HomelessnessandtheCriminalJustice
System,SummitPaperonHomelessness,Parliamentof
NewSouthWales,Australia
http://parliament.nsw.gov.au
Carlen,P.(1996)JigsawAPoliticalCriminologyofYouth
Homelessness.Buckingham:OpenUniversityPress.
Carlisle,J(1996)TheHousingNeedsofEx-Prisoners.
CentreforHousingPolicyUniversityofYork.
CASECentreforAnalysisofSocialExclusion(2000)
RoutesintoHomelessness:AStudyofthePathsinto
HomelessnessofHomelessClientsoftheLondon
BoroughofCamden’sHomelessPersonsUnit.London:
LondonBoroughofCamdenHousingDepartment.
Farrall,S(2002)RethinkingWhatWorkswithOffenders:
Probation,socialcontextanddesistancefromcrime.
CullomptonDevon:WillanPublishing.
Fitzpatrick,S.,Kemp,P.,andKilner,S.(2000)Single
Homelessness:AnoverviewofresearchinBritain.Bristol:
ThePolicyPress.
GreaterLondonAuthorityResearchGroup(GLARG)
(2000)BlockingtheFastTrackfromPrisontoRough
Sleeping-AReporttotheRoughSleepersUnit.London:
GreaterLondonAuthorityResearchGroup.
Haines,K.(1990)After-careServicesforReleased
Prisoners:AReviewoftheLiterature.Cambridge:
InstituteofCriminology,UniversityofCambridge.
HomelessAgency(2001)ShapingtheFuture:AnAction
PlanonHomelessnessinDublin2001-2003.Dublin:
HomelessAgency.
HowardLeagueforPenalReform(2005)TheKeytothe
Future?TheHousingNeedsofYoungAdultsinPrison
OutforGoodHousinghttp://howardleague.org/
fileadmin/howard_league/user/pdf/housing_final_01.pdf
(accessed26November2006)
Paylor,I.(1992)HomelessnessandEx-Offenders:ACasefor
Reform.ProbationMonograph,UniversityofEastAnglia.
Randall,G.andBrown,S.(1999)Preventionisbetter
thanCure.London:Crisis.
Snow,D.Baker,S.andAnderson,L.(1989)Criminality
andHomelessMen:AnEmpiricalAssessment,Social
Problems(36)532-49.
SocialExclusionUnit(SEU)(2002)ReducingRe-offending
byEx-prisoners.SummaryoftheSocialExclusionReport.
London:HMSO.
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Tenth Annual Conference – Community, Custody and Aftercare: The Journey Towards Social Inclusion
Preparingforthisconferencemademeconsidersomany
thingswhichItakeforgrantedinrelationtothecriminal
justicesystem.
Itisimportanttonotethatexclusioncanarisefrom
systemicand/orstructuralfailures–youthjusticepolicy
andpracticestraddlesbothyouthjusticeandchildcare
policies.
n Howcanthecriminaljusticesystemcontributeto
socialinclusioninanyway?
n Surelythisisasystemwhichpromotes‘exclusion’?
n Afterall,thisisasystemwhichisaboutpunishment,
communitysafetyandultimatelydeprivingchildren
oftheirliberty?
n Canthedetentionschoolservicepromoteorenable
socialinclusion?
Ialsowantplaywiththeword‘inclusion’andreferto
theIYJSapproachtoworkingwithkeystakeholders,
whichisoneof‘inclusivity’.
Background – Youth Justice TaskforceAYouthJusticeTaskforcewasestablishedin2004to
reviewtheexistingarrangementsfordealingwithyouth
justiceandchildrenandyoungpeoplewhooffend.The
TaskforcereportedinDecember2005.Thekeyfindings
wereofasystemthatwasfragmented,lackedstrategic
leadershipandlackeddata.TheReviewhighlightedthe
factthattherewerethreekeyGovernmentDepartments
workingintheyouthjusticesectori.e.theDepartments
ofHealthandChildren;EducationandScience;and
Justice,EqualityandLawReform.Therewerealso
severalagenciesworkingwithchildrenintheyouth
justicesystemi.e.theProbationService,AnGarda
Síochána,CourtsServicesandtheHealthService
Executive;buttheredidnotappeartobeanintegrated
approachacrossagencies.
Establishment of IYJSTheIrishYouthJusticeService(IYJS)wasestablishedin
December2005.TheIYJSisanexecutiveofficeofthe
DepartmentofJustice,EqualityandLawReform.InMay
2006,Ms.MichelleShannonwasappointedasthe
NationalDirectoroftheIrishYouthJusticeService.The
servicehasbeenallocatedastaffingcomplementof30
staff–atthispointintime23staffhavebeenrecruited.
ItisimportanttonotethattheIYJShasresponsibilityfor
overseeingtheentireyouthjusticesystemi.e.fromthe
timeachildcomestotheattentionoftheGardaí,enters
thecourtsorisinreceiptofcommunitysanctions,to
whenhe/sheentersorleavesadetentionschool.
Role of the IYJSTheIYJSisasmallorganisation,ayoungorganisationin
termsoforganisationaltheory,andisactivelyestablishing
andbuildingrelationshipsacrosstheyouthjusticeand
childrenservicessectors.Wearealsoliaisingwithvoluntary
organisationsthatworkwithchildren.
TheIYJSischargedwithprovidingleadershipandassisting
inthebetterintegrationofservicesandagencies.Wealso
haveresponsibilityfordevelopingpolicyandensuringthe
strategicdevelopmentofservices.TheIYJSalsohas
responsibilityforensuringthenationaldevelopmentofnew
communitysanctionsbeingdeliveredbytheYoung
Peoples’ProbationDivision.
TheIYJStookoverresponsibilityforthedetentionschools
on1stMarch2007–formerlytheyweretheresponsibility
oftheDepartmentofEducationandScience.
Mission Statement Ourmissionisto‘createasafersocietybyworkingin
partnershiptoreduceyouthoffending,through
appropriateinterventionsandlinkagestoservices’.
I R ISHDETENT IONSERV ICES FORTHETWENTY-F IRST CENTURYMaryGeaney,NationalManager,DetentionSchoolServices,IrishYouthJusticeService
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Thismissionstatementprovidesaclearsteerastohowa
criminaljusticeagencyhasaroletoplayinsocial
inclusion.Thefocusonpartnershipworkinghighlights
theimportanceofusworkingwithotherDepartments
suchasHealthandEducation.Italsohighlightstheneed
toensurethatchildrenaccessappropriateservicesto
addresstheriskfactorsassociatedwiththeiroffending.
Forexample,ifachildistruantingfromschool,he/sheis
atgreaterriskofbeingexposedtoanti-socialor
offendingbehaviour.Similarlyifhe/sheisinvolvedin
substancemisuse,theriskofcriminalactivityincreases.
Treatmentandsupportservicesareneededtoensure
thattheyoungpersonisincludedintheircommunityin
apositiveandmeaningfulway.
Office of the Minister for Children TheOfficeoftheMinisterforChildren(OMC)isavery
excitingdevelopmentinGovernment.Ithasresponsibility
forthedeliveryoftheNationalChildren’sStrategy;for
establishingcoherenceinpolicyforchildren;andforthe
co-ordinationoftheworkofDepartmentsworkingwith
children.Thelatterpointisveryimportantasforthefirst
timethereareplanstoco-locatethethreeDepartments
withleadresponsibilityforchildreni.e.Health,Education
andJustice.WehaveaMinisterforChildren,Mr.Brendan
Smith,T.D.HeisaMinisterofState,whoattendsCabinet
meetingstopromoteanintegratedapproachtochildren’s
policiesandservices.
Youth Justice ContinuumTheresponsibilitiesoftheIYJSspanfrompreventative
servicesanddiversionprojects,throughcommunity
sanctions,detentionandaftercare.Ithinkitisimportantto
highlightthefactthatthemajorityofchildrenandyoung
peoplearelawabidingandnevercometotheattentionof
thecriminaljusticeagencies.The2006Censusstatesthere
areintheregionof445,000childrenintheState.In2006,
approximately20,000childrenwerereferredtoGarda
DiversionProjects.Atpresentthedetentionschoolshavea
bedcapacitytoaccommodate77children,12ofwhichare
toaccommodategirls.Thishighlightsthelownumbersof
childrenwhoaredetainedbythecourts.
TheYouthJusticecontinuumidentifiesthekeystages
whereitispossibleforcriminaljusticeagencies,in
partnershipwithotheragencies,tointervenein
children’slivestosupportthemawayfromcriminal
activities.Itisatthesedifferentstagesthatwecanand
mustpromotesocialinclusionbyensuringappropriate
referralstotrainingprogrammes,familytherapy,
education,angermanagementprogrammes,etc.
Children Detention SchoolsWeareresponsibleforfourdetentionschools:
n FinglasChildandAssessmentCentre–15beds;
n OberstownBoysSchools–20beds;
n OberstownGirlsSchool–12beds;and
n TrinityHouseSchool–24beds.
Wehaverecentlyre-commissionedandrefurbishedaunit,
whichhadbeenbuiltin2002.Thisnowaccommodates
girlsundertheageof18years.Itisimportanttonotethat
since1stMarch2007therearenolongeranygirlsdetained
intheIrishPrisonServicefacilities.Boysaged16or17will
continuetoberemandedorcommittedtoSt.Patrick’s
InstitutionuntilnewfacilitiesarebuiltontheOberstown
CampusnearLusk.
Eachofthefourschoolshasbeendesignatedbythe
Ministerasafitandsuitableplacetoaccommodate
childrenremandedorcommittedbythecriminal
courts.Thefourschoolsofferarangeofserviceson
a24-hourbasis.
Future PlanningTheIrishYouthJusticeService’smissionistocreatea
safersocietybyworkinginpartnershiptoreduceyouth
offendingthroughappropriateinterventionsand
linkagesintoservices.Thishighlightstheimportanceof
amulti-disciplinaryresponsetoremandedorcommitted
children;toaddresstheirneedsandriskfactors
associatedwithoffending.Theprincipleofinclusion
willunderpinallservices.Thiswillbemanifested
throughdisabilityaccessandinterpretativefacilities
fornon-Irishnationalstoensurediverseneedsare
addressedandmet.
AnExpertGroupwasestablishedin2006tooverseethe
planninganddevelopmentofnewfacilitiestomeetthe
futuredetentionrequirementsofoffendingchildren
under18years,whoareremandedorcommittedby
criminalcourts.
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Tenth Annual Conference – Community, Custody and Aftercare: The Journey Towards Social Inclusion
TheGroupismulti-disciplinaryincompositionwith
representativesfromIYJS,OfficeofPublicWorks,
DepartmentofEducationandScience,IrishPrison
Service,andDetentionSchoolDirectors.Thefirstreport
waspresentedtotheMinisterforChildreninDecember
2006,withanupdatedreportpresentedinSeptember
2007.TheExpertGroupwillpresentitsfinalreportwith
recommendationstotheMinisterinDecember2007.
TheGovernmentwillthendecideonthefuture
developmentofthedetentionschoolservice.
Thedevelopmentofthenewfacilitiesisamajorproject
andwillbedevelopedinlinewithDepartmentof
Finance‘GuidelinesfortheAppraisalandManagement
ofCapitalExpenditureProposalsinthePublicSector’
(2005).Thereisatotalcapitalallocationof€143mto
fundthisdevelopment,whichhasbeensourcedthrough
theNationalDevelopmentPlan.Itisexpectedthatthe
overallprojectwilltakeuptofouryearstocomplete
oncethebuildingworkhascommenced.
Vision for the FutureTheDetentionSchoolServiceaimstoprovidechildren
remandedandcommittedbytheCourtswithasafe,
secureenvironment.Individualisededucation,training
andrehabilitationprogrammeswillbeofferedtoall
childrenundertheageof18yearswithinacare-focused
ethos.Eachchildwillbeallocatedakeyworkerfromthe
timetheyenterthedetentionschool.Thispersonwillbe
professionallyresponsiblethroughoutthechild’sremand
orperiodofcommittal.Allprogrammesandinterventions
willbetailoredforeachchild,toreducetheriskof
re-offending,andtopromotetheirpositivelaw-abiding
reintegrationbackintotheircommunity.Thisapproachis
aimedtopromotesocialinclusion,andwillonlybe
successfulbyinvolvinghealthandsocialcareagencies.
Boththephysicalbuildingsandoperationalpolicies
willbeunderpinnedbyprinciplesofflexibility,
responsiveness,safety,securityandfuture–proofing.
Wearecommittedtoworkingwithallkeystakeholders,
developingaprofessionalworkforce,andensuringan
appropriatebalancebetweenrightsandresponsibilities
inthedetentionschools.
Akeyfactortoensuringsocialinclusionisabetter
alignmentbetweenjusticeandchildcarepolicies.
Irish Youth Justice Service Co-ordinating GroupTheIYJSwillestablishandchairaco-ordinatingGroup
toensurethatcapitalandoperationaldevelopments
occurinasystematicandintegratedmanner.ThisGroup
willhaveakeyresponsibilityinsettinguparangeof
workinggroupstoaddressallaspectsofthe
developmentofthedetentionschoolservice.
Therearecurrentlyeightdifferentgroupsbeing
proposedwhichwillcoverallaspectsidentifiedin
deliveringthenewvision.TheIYJSwillberepresented
oneachgroupinsomecapacityandwillprovide
secretariatsupport.Thegroupsrangefromchildrenand
staffservices;supportservices;security;healthand
safety;toprogrammesforchildren;visitingservices;and
workforceplanning.Eachgroupwillhaveachairperson
andformaltermsofreference.Thegroupswillbetime
limitedandtaskedtoachieveaspecificobjective.These
proposalsprovideclearevidenceoftheIYJScommitment
toensuringthatallserviceswhichneedtobeinplaceto
promotesocialinclusionandaddressoffending
behaviourwillbeinplace.
Workshopswilltakeplacewithstaffacrossthefour
detentionschoolstofurtherexpandthethinkingaround
eachworkinggroupandidentifyanygaps.
Oversight BoardTheDepartmentofJustice,EqualityandLawReformhas
establishedahigh-levelgovernancestructuretooversee
thedevelopmentofalllargecapitalprojectsinthe
criminaljusticesystem.TheD/JELRisthesanctioning
authorityforthedevelopmentofthedetentionschool
service,andhasprovidedthenecessaryfundingforthe
newcapitalprogramme.ThisOversightBoardischaired
bytheMinisterandtheNationalDirectoroftheIrish
YouthJusticeServiceisamemberofthisBoard.
Project BoardTheIrishYouthJusticeServiceisthesponsoringagency
forthenewcapitalprogramme.Itisintendedto
establishaProjectBoardtoensurerobustgovernance
arrangementsforthesuccessfuldeliveryofthenew
detentionschoolservice.TheProjectBoardwillbe
responsibleforfulloversightofthesuccessfulexecution
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oftheprojectandforreportingbacktotheD/JELR
OversightBoard.TheProjectBoardmustensure:
n thesystematicco-ordinationofallworkrelatedto
thesuccessfulachievementoftheproject;
n effectivecommunicationandreporting
arrangementstoensuretheprojectisdeliveredon
time,withinbudgetandtostandard;
n effectivemanagementandmonitoringarrangements
ofthetotalbudgetandcashflow;
n effectivemanagementandmonitoringarrangements
ofprogressontheproject;
n effectivecontrolsystemsandariskregister;and
n apost-projectreview.
TheProjectBoardisthekeydecisionmakingbodyandis
responsibleforthesuccessoftheproject.Formalterms
ofreferencesurroundingtheBoardwillbeestablishedas
willrolesandresponsibilities.
Social Inclusion: possible and achievableIstartedbyposingquestionsonhowacriminaljustice
agencycouldpromotesocialinclusionorifithadany
roleindoingso.IhaveshownthattheChildrenAct
2001,byextendingthechildrendetentionschoolmodel
toallchildrenuptotheageof18yearsremandedor
committedbythecriminalcourts,placesreintegration
intothecommunityonastatutoryfooting.Thisrequires
amulti-disciplinaryresponsetoaddressingtherisk
factorsassociatedwithoffendingbehaviour;through
appropriateaccesstochild,healthandsocialcare
services,aswellaseducationandtrainingor
employmentopportunities.Inmyopinion,re-integration
andsocialinclusionarealmostinterchangeableterms.
IbelievethattheIrishYouthJusticeServicehasakey
roleinensuringsocialinclusionandthatthisis
achievableaslongasitisdoneinpartnershipwithother
keystakeholders.
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Tenth Annual Conference – Community, Custody and Aftercare: The Journey Towards Social Inclusion
ThisconferenceisextremelytimelyandIamdelightedto
provideaviewpointfromnorthoftheborderonthe
topicofsocialinclusion,whichisfundamentaltothe
criminaljusticeagenda.
InOctober2006,theHousingExecutivehandedoverthe
firstsharedhousingschemeinNorthernIreland.Wedid
sointhehopethatNorthernIrelandwouldhaveitsown
Assemblywithlocalpoliticiansworkingcollectivelyand
makingdecisionsaboutimportantlocalissues.Our
dreamisnowareality.NowourAssemblymembersare
willingandcommittedtoourfuture,tothepromisethat
itwillbebrighterthanourdarkpast.Thisnew
dispensationisexpectedtodeliverbetterengagement
betweenGovernmentDepartments,publicbodies,the
ThirdSectorandimportantlytheprivatesector.Most
importantlyitwilldeliverasustainablefuturefor
NorthernIreland.2009willmostprobablysee
devolutionofcriminaljusticepowerstoournew
NorthernIrelandAssembly–asignificantdevelopment
inthehistoryofthisisland.
ThroughoutthelongyearsoftheTroubles,wealllived
inaworldofdepressedexpectationsandlow
aspirations.Andforsomeitwasworse:livesand
livelihoodslost;wholecommunitiesrippedapartby
violenceandintimidation.TheHousingExecutive,asthe
mainlandlordinNorthernIreland,dealtwiththe
sectionsofthepublicandthoseareasmostaffectedby
theTroubles.
SincetheceasefiresandtheAgreement,thingshave
changedforthebetter.Wenowhaveagrowing
economywithrock-bottomunemployment;confident
communitiesandasocietythatpeoplefromrightacross
theglobewanttocometo–andstay!Aninfluxof
peoplewantingtocomeheretoliveandworkmarks
NorthernIreland’stransitionfromadividedbackward-
lookingsocietytoonethatismodernandenjoyingthe
benefitsofagrowingeconomy.
Withdevolutionrestored,NorthernIrelandhasthe
opportunitytobuildonthisprogress.Notonlycanwe
buildabettersociety,amorewelcominganddiverse
society,butwecanusethistohelphealthedeep
divisionswithinNorthernIrelandandbuildgood
relationshipswherethesehavenotexistedbefore.
Buildingonaraftofanti-discrimination,equalityand
humanrightslegislation,theprimarypolicyinstrument
forachievingthisis‘ASharedFuture’.Thisis
Government’svisionforthefutureofNorthernIreland–
apeaceful,inclusive,prosperous,stableandfairsociety
firmlyfoundedontheachievementofreconciliation,
toleranceandmutualtrustandtheprotectionand
vindicationofhumanrightsforall.Theseobjectiveshave
beenbroadlyendorsedbyallsectionsofthecommunity
andthevisionfor‘ASharedFuture’isbeingaccepted
asacommonsenseapproachimpactingpositivelyon
thelivesofeveryone.Itisbeingdeliveredbywayof
practicalactionsbyGovernmentDepartments,local
councilsandagencies.
Asanexample,theHousingExecutive,ofwhichIam
chairman,isdevelopingtheprogrammeofmixed
communitysocialhousingorSharedFuturehousing
whichIreferredtoearlier.
NorthernIrelandischaracterisedbypolarised
communities,particularlyinthesocialhousingsector.
Asawayofcontributingto‘ASharedFuture’,weare
developingaprogrammeofsocialhousingschemes
whichareaimedatpeoplefromdifferentreligiousand
GOVERNMENTTHINKINGINNORTHERN IRELANDONSOCIALINCLUSIONANDTHEWAYFORWARDUNDERASHAREDFUTUREBrianRowntree,Chairperson,NorthernIrelandHousingExecutive
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Association for Criminal Justice Research and Development Ltd
politicalbackgroundswhohavechosentolivein
harmonywiththeirneighbours.Eachofthesetenants
signsuptoavoluntarycharterwhichpromotesmutual
respectandunderstandingbetweenthem.Wearealso
developingacommunitybasedapproachtosupport
localcommunitieswhowishtodesignatetheirown
housingestatesas‘SharedFutureNeighbourhoods’.
Alltheseapproachesaresupportedbystaffworkingon
thegroundinthesecommunitiestoensuresustainability
anddevelopempowerment.
AsthestrategichousingauthorityforNorthernIreland,
weproactivelyseekopportunitiestodevelopShared
Futurehousingschemeswithinlargescaleurban
regenerationsites,suchasthenewTitanicQuarter,
amajornewdevelopmentsiteinBelfast,tocontribute
towardssharedspaceandasharedcity.Herewehope
togrowanintegratedapproachtocommunitylivingin
asafeandwelcomingneighbourhood.Weareinthe
businessofdevelopinghomesthatknittogethertoform
vibrant,safeandprogressivecommunities.
Therearemanyotherexamplesofhow‘AShared
Future’isprogressing.Goodrelationsimpactonevery
aspectoflifeinNorthernIreland:policing,community
safety,schooling,housing,health,sport,urbanandrural
renewal,cultureandarts,andhowourworkplaces
function.Workisongoingineachoftheseareas.
But how does ‘A Shared Future’ promote social inclusion?Manypeopleseeitasmerelytargetingthetwinevils
ofsectarianismandracism.Thisistrue,inthattargeting
theseissuesarekeyfeaturesoftheapproach,but
equalityisindivisible.Youcannothaveitforsome;
itmustbeextendedtoall.Inrecognitionofthis,
Governmentcontinuestoconsiderthosegroupsor
individualsthatmayhaveexperiencedexclusionby
targetingpolicies,strategiesandactionplans.Eachpublic
bodyunderstandsitspositionanddutiesinrelationto
eachoftheGovernment‘equality’strategies.Publicbodies
inNorthernIrelandarethereforecurrentlydeveloping
policyanddeliveringservicesinthecontextof:
n ARacialEqualityActionPlan,whichisalignedto
‘ASharedFuture’butchallengesracism.
n Section75andthedutiestopromoteequalityof
opportunityandgoodrelations,whichissimilarto
yourEqualityAct.Itincludesapositivedutyto
proactivelytargetinequalitiesandremovethe
barriersthatexcludepeople.
n LifetimeOpportunitieswhichtargetsdeprivation
andputsanonusonGovernmentDepartmentsto
demonstratethattheyaretargetinggroupsof
people,individualsorareasthataremostinneed.
n DisabilityActionPlanswhichseektoimprove
attitudestodisabledpeopleandencouragetheir
participationinpubliclife.Thisincludespeople
withinthecriminaljusticesystemwhomayfor
examplehavementalhealthproblems.
n ChildrenandYoungPeoplepolicieswhichconsider
theprotectionofchildren,theirrighttobeconsulted
andtohavetargetedservicesprovidedtothem.
Thisisclearlyanareaforthecriminaljusticeagenda.
n AgeinginanInclusiveSociety,whichlooksatolder
people,theircontributiontolife,thefamily,the
economyandsocietygenerally.
n TheSexualOrientationActionPlan,whichrecognises
theexclusion,discrimination,harassmentand
violenceexperiencedbygayandlesbianpeople
andtheirfriends,andproposesanagendato
challengethis.
n GovernmenthasalsosetoutGenderActionPlans
andpoliciesthat‘careforcarers’.Specificsocial
inclusionreportsareimminentondisabilityandlone
parents.
Equality,goodrelationsandsocialinclusionareessential
toourfuture,andareinter-dependent.Wecannot
achieveasocietythatisshared,butunequal.Afterall,
goodrelationscannotbebuiltonunequalfoundations.
Allowingorignoringinequalitywillonlybreed
resentmentandperpetuatedivision.Itisimpossibleto
buildacohesivesocietythatignorestheneedsofsmall
orexcludedgroupsorthatdoesnotupholdtherightsof
minoritiesorthatisnotsensitivetochange.Thevalueof
equality,goodrelationsandpromotingsocialinclusionis
recognisedinthestructuresthathavebeenputinplace
toupholdthem.
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Tenth Annual Conference – Community, Custody and Aftercare: The Journey Towards Social Inclusion
TheOfficeoftheFirstMinisterandDeputyFirstMinister
holdsministerialresponsibilityforequality.Independent
institutionshavebeenestablishedtoadvanceequality,
goodrelationsandsocialcohesion.Myownorganisation
hasestablishedanequalityandrightsdivisionanda
separatecommunitycohesionunit.TheEquality
Commission,HumanRightsCommissionand
CommunityRelationsCouncileachworktowards
forgingasuccessful,cohesiveandequalsociety.We
havetoacknowledgealsotheriskstakenbyandthe
contributionmadebythosepeople,politiciansand
others,frombothsidesoftheborder.
Inconclusion,Ithinkitisimportanttohighlightthat,
inspiteoftherightlegislation,therightstructuresand
institutions,wecanneitherachieveasharedfuture,or
sustainablecommunities,withoutthecommitmentof
governmentandourcommunityleaders.Muchwork
remainstobedonetopromoteequality,build
relationships,includetheexcludedandempowerour
communities.Theimportantpointtonoteisthatforthe
firsttimewehavesomethingthatpreviousgenerations
didnothave:thechancetodeliverchangeandforgea
newfuture.
Recipe for a bright new future called hopeFirstweneedalargehelpingof
Goodwillandtrusttostart
Throwinmutualrespect
Anopenmindandheart
Mixwithloveanddetermination
Successisawonderfulsensation
Hopewillriselikeacloud
Sometimesdarkandthreatening
Thenagestureofgoodfaith
Comestobrightenourday
Rememberalittlehopeand
Trustcangoalong,longway.
LilyFitzsimons,Belfast
FromYouCan’tEatFlagsforBreakfast:Poets,Politicians,
PublicReflectontheTroubles;editedbyJosephSheehy
andJoshuaSchultz;Eason&Son,2001
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IntroductionCéimarChéim,(StepbyStep)isacommunitybased
ProbationProjectbasedintheMoyrossCommunityof
LimerickinIreland.Thisprojectprovideseducation&
trainingforyoungoffendersaftercustodyonprobation
oratriskofoffendingwithintheirowncommunity.
Theprojectworkswiththeyoungperson,theirfamily
andotherrelevantcommunityorganisationsthatmay
beworkingwiththefamily.Moyrossisclassifiedasa
designateddisadvantagedarea.Itisalocalauthority
housingestateonthenorthsideofLimerickCitywith
apopulationofover4,500.
FundingCéimarChéimisfundedbytheProbation&Welfare
ServiceoftheDepartmentofJusticeEquality&Law
Reform,assistedbyFÁS&LimerickCityVocational
EducationalCommittee(V.E.C.).
Background of Project - Survey of Community NeedsCéimarChéimbeganinMay2000asaconsequenceof
ananalysisofneedscarriedoutbytheProbation&
WelfareServiceinconjunctionwiththelocalcommunity.
Thisanalysiswasofpeoplebetweentheagesof15–25
inthecommunityofMoyross,someofwhomwould
havebeenengagedincrime,othersonthefringeof
crimeandmanyatrisk.
Thefollowingstatisticsemergedfromthefindings:
n ThereferralratetotheProbation&WelfareService
was76,withthemajorityagedbetween16&25
yearsold.
n Earlyschoolleavingwasaprimaryconcerninthe
Moyrossarea.Thereisoneprimaryschoolwhich
catersforover600childrenandthereisno
secondaryschool.
n In1996,44%ofyoungpeoplefromthearealeft
schoolagedfifteenyearsoryounger.Ofthosewho
progressedtosecondleveleducation,asubstantial
number,estimatedat48%,leftinthefirstyear.
Theunemploymentratewas71%.Theunemployment
rateandtheinabilitytoaccessemploymentandor
educationandtrainingwasduetosomeofthe
followingfactors:
n Earlyschoolleaving(someasearlyas7years).
n Lackofmotivation,concentration&socialskills.
n ReluctancetoleaveMoyross(didnotknowhowto
surviveoutsideoftheirownturf).
n Socialisationwasalsoamainissueeffectingthese
youth,formanyofthosewhojoinedtheproject–
theirjobplacementorfirstemploymentwas,for
many,thefirsttimetheyhadventuredoutof
Moyrossandintoemployment.
n Alcohol&drugsweremajorfeaturesoftheir
lifestyle.
Day ProgrammeCéimarChéimofficiallyopenedinJuly2000,under
theauspicesoftheProbationService.Aboardof
directorscomprisingofrepresentativesfromthe
communityofMoyrossalongwithvoluntaryand
statutorysectorsguidetheproject.Theprojectemploys
astaffof8:amanager;asupportworker;3outreach
workers;anadministrator;ahousekeeperandabus
driver/caretaker.
TheprojectisassistedbythecityofLimerickV.E.C.,
whoprovide12trainedtutors,andF.Á.S.,whopaythe
participantsallowancesandassistinchildcarepayments.
ACOMMUNITYRESPONSE– MOVINGFORWARDSTEPBYSTEPElaineSlattery,CéimArChéim
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Tenth Annual Conference – Community, Custody and Aftercare: The Journey Towards Social Inclusion
ReferralsParticipantsmaybereferredtotheprojectthrougha
varietyofchannels:
n ayoungpersonmaybereferredthroughthecourts
andprobationservices;
n temporaryreleaseprisoners;
n youngoffenderswhomaybereferredbytheir
ProbationOfficer;
n contactswithHSEandHomeSchoolCommunity
LiaisonOfficers;
n communityGardaíorJuvenileLiaisonSystem;and
n someself-applicantsinterestedintheeducational
programmesavailable.
Missionn Toofferasafeandchallengingenvironmentfor
participantstoexploretheirpotential.
n Toprovidechoicestoenableparticipantstotake
responsibilityfortheirfuture.
n Toprovideappropriatetrainingforparticipants’lives
andfutureemployment.
Target GroupThetargetgroupforCéimarChéimareyoungpeople
agedbetween15and25whomaybe:
n clientsoftheProbation&WelfareServiceandthose
atrisk;
n temporaryreleaseprisoners;
n thosewhowishtore-engageineducationand/or
training;
n earlyschoolleaverswhoarenotinvolvedinany
otherprogramme;or
n peoplewhoarelong-termunemployed.
Programme ContentTheprogrammerunsfromMondaytoFriday,9a.m.to
5p.m.Thecoreskillsprogrammeincludesmodulessuch
as:communications;literacy&maths;computers;
personal&interpersonalskills;personaleffectiveness
andpresentation;preparationforwork;vocational
preparationandguidance;SafePassandtheDriving
TheoryTest.
Othermodulesinclude:catering(hotelcateringand
tourism);Irish,SpanishandFrench;danceandmusic;
visualarts;socialeducation;craftceramics;artanddesign;
woodwork;healthrelatedfitnessandoutdoorpursuits;
andsupportandawarenessprogrammesappropriateto
theindividualparticipant’sneeds.Counsellingismade
availabletoparticipantswhereneeded.
AccreditationAlltrainingmodulesarecertifiedbythefollowing
bodies:
n FETAC(FurtherEducation&TrainingAwards
Council);
n GAISCE–PresidentsAward;
n LeavingCertApplied(DepartmentofEducation
&Science);
n IrishCanoeUnionofIrelandinassociationwith
UniversityofLimerick.
Daily TimetableThereisasocialhoureachmorningfrom9a.m.to
10a.m.Thisinvolvesbreakfast,readingnewspapers
andgeneralconversation.Thishourprovidesthestaff
andtutorstheopportunitytointeractandassesseach
participant’sbehaviourandgeneralmood.Thisallows
thestafftoaltertheprogrammetosuittheindividual
ifsoneeded.Asaprojectweaimtoprovideeach
individualwithstructureandsupport.Theprogramme
startseachdayat9a.m.Participantsclockinasthey
wouldinregularemployment.Thereisareductionin
allowancefortimekeepingorabsencewithoutmedical
certification.
Newspapersareintroducedbeforebreakfasteach
morning.Thisstimulatessocialdiscussionand
allowsparticipantswithreadingdifficultiestolearn
whatishappeningaroundthem.Italsoallowsthem
tobecomeinvolvedindiscussiononeventsinthenews
throughouttheday.Classesbegininthemorningsat
10a.m.Participantsaredividedintogroupsofnomore
thanfive.
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Association for Criminal Justice Research and Development Ltd
Eachdayendswithameetingwithallstaff,tutorsand
participantstodiscussthedayandtoensurethat
participantsandtutorshavetheopportunitytocomment
ontheirdayandraiseanyissuestheymayhave.
Participantsareinvolvedingroupworkanddiscussion
sessionsinareassuchas:offendingbehaviour;the
CoppingOnprogramme;drugandalcoholawareness;
dealingwithconflict;domesticviolence;community
awareness;andanyparticularareaofinterestto
participants.
Eachweekfollowinggroupworkallparticipantsgoon
asocialouting.Thiscanvaryfromhorseriding,sailing,
canoeing,rock-climbing,cinema,visitingmuseums,art
galleriesetc.Tutorstrytoensurethatthereisongoing
interactionbetweensubjects.Cross-curricular
integrationisparticularlyvisibleintheLeavingCertificate
Appliedsubjects.
Theprojectusesanasset-basedmodelofeducation,
whichinvolvesthefamilyandotherrelevantcommunity
groupsinthedevelopmentofeachstudent’sindividual
educationandpersonaldevelopmentplan.Thereare
smallgroupnumbers,whichallowstutorstotakethe
timerequiredwithindividualswhoneedmoreattention.
Theprojectprovidesasmanyopportunitiesasispossible
toallowtheparticipantsmaintainasenseofownership.
Participantschosecoloursofbuilding,furniture,equipment
etc.Thesanctionspolicywasalsodrawnupinconsultation
withstaff.Allstaffusesamebehaviourmodification&
managementtechniquestoensureconsistency.
Daily EvaluationParticipantsareevaluatedonadailybasisineach
subject.Ifanincidenthasoccurredinclass,itisrecorded
ontheevaluationsheet.Thisreportallowsthemanager
toapproachtheparticipant,anditmakestheparticipant
responsiblefortheiractionsatalltimesandensuresthat
theyareaccountablefortheseactions.Participants’
placementsarereviewedonabi-monthlybasis,
reviewingtimekeeping,attendance,social,personaland
academicdevelopment.Participantsareinvolvedindaily
self-evaluation;theytakepartinameetingattheendof
eachdaytolookatthedayandreflectontheirlearning.
Céim ar Chéim Linked Work ExperienceOnceaparticipanthascompletedtheirprogrammeof
accreditedtrainingandpersonaldevelopmenttheycan
beofferedafurtherprogrammecalledLinkedWork
Experience.Theprojectwillplaceanindividualin
suitableworkplacementforaperiodofsixmonths.
ParticipantswhoarereadyandsuitableforLinkedWork
ExperiencehavecompletedtheFETACFoundation
Certificatesand/ortheLeavingCertificateApplied.
ParticipantsaresupportedbythestaffofCéimar
Chéim,beforeandduringtheirplacements,inorder
tohelpthemtoadjusttotheirnewworkenvironment.
Supportisalsoavailabletoemployersindealingwith
anyinitialproblemstheymightencounterwiththe
participantandthroughouttheperiodoftheir
employment.
Theprojectcontinuestooffersupporttoallstudents
whomoveontofurthertrainingandemploymentas
longassupportisrequired.
Evening ProgrammeTheCéimarChéimeveningprogrammeisrunfour
nightsperweekforthreehourspernightandcatersfor
12to17yearsolddefinedasatrisk.Itoffersalternative
diversionaryactivitiesfor:youngoffendersfromthe
juvenilejusticesystem;earlyschoolleavers;andalso
supportsyoungpeopleatriskwhoareinschooltostay
inschool.
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Tenth Annual Conference – Community, Custody and Aftercare: The Journey Towards Social Inclusion
Workshop A: Reaching the potential offender through educationCo-ordinator:TimDesmond;Chair:NoreenLanders;
Rapporteur:JacintaCuneen.
Thisworkshopfocusedonwhetherisitpossibleto
identifyapotentialoffender,andifso,howcanwe,
throughthemediumofeducation,preventthisperson
frombecominganactualoffender.
Who is the potential offender?n Potentialoffenderscanbeidentifiedasearlyasinfancy,
orevenpre-birth,basedonthesocial,economicand
educationalcircumstancesoftheirparents.
n Potentialoffendersarerecognisableindifferent
scenarios,includingthecommunity,schoolandlegal
system.
n Recognisablecharacteristicsincludepoorliteracyand
numeracyskills;badmixers;lowself-esteem;no
senseofdisciplineandnorespectforpeopleor
property.
What needs to be taught to potential offenders, and by whom?n Amulti-disciplinaryteamapproachisrequiredto
educatingpotentialoffenders:
n Parentingskills–publichealthnurses;childcare
organisations;
n Literacyandnumeracyskills–schools;
n Citizenshipnormsandvalues–schools,sportsand
communityorganisations;
n Howthecriminaljusticesystemworks–community
Gardaíandschools;and
n Socialskills–family,schools,sportsorganisations
andcommunityandvoluntarygroups.
Role models Positiverolemodelscanprovidepotentialoffenderswith
valuablelearningexperiences:
n CommunityGardaí–howtolivewithinthelaw;
n Prisonofficers–whathappensinprison;
n Ex-offenders–consequencesofcrime;
n Sportspeople–leadershipskills;
n Peopleinemployment–workskills.
Barriers to educationn Alotofgovernmentfundingbeingpouredinto
‘bricksandmortar’only.
n Interventionstrategiesareoftenimplementedfrom
top-downratherthanbottom-up.
n Stafffundingisminimal.
n Lackofguidancearounddevelopingstrategic
programmesandevaluationforcommunitygroups.
n Insurancecostshighorunattainable.
What educational approach works best?n Positivereinforcementandfeedback;
n Recognitionofachievementsandofefforts;
n Astructure;withinthefamilyandwithinthe
community;
n Goodcommunication–informingpeopleofwhat
helpisavailable;
n Aco-ordinatedmulti-disciplinaryapproach;
n Useofcommunityhealthservices;
n Followuponteacherrecommendations,especiallyin
relationtolearningdifficulties;
n FamilyResourceCentres–aone-stopshop,witha
multi-disciplinaryteamlocatedincommunity.
WORKSHOPDISCUSSIONS
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Association for Criminal Justice Research and Development Ltd
RecommendationsAmoreholisticmulti-disciplinaryeducationalapproach
shouldbetaken,involvingparents,school,community
involvementandworkexperience.Itshouldbebasedat
locallevel.Participantsshouldlearnfromand
communicatepositiveaswellasnegativeexperiences.
Parentsshouldbedrawnintotheeducationoftheir
children,andprovidedwithopportunitiestoeducate
themselves.Trainingshouldbeprovidedforvolunteersin
communities.Inextremecircumstances,multi-
disciplinaryteamofprofessionalsshouldconsiderthe
long-termgoodofthechild–andradicalintervention
mightberequired.
Workshop B: Participation in the labour force – challenges for ex-prisonersCo-ordinators:PaulBaileyandBrianFriel;
Chair:BrendanO’Callaghan;
Rapporteur:GeraldineCleere
Thisworkshopfocusedonthebarriersfacingex-
offenderswhentryingtoaccessemployment,andhow
thesebarrierscouldbeovercome.
Links with available servicesn Prisonersmightnotknowwhatservicesareavailable
–aDirectorofservicesshouldbeappointedwithin
prisonstoadviseandliaisewiththoseapproaching
releasefromprison.
n Formfillingcanbedifficult,especiallyforthosewith
literacyproblems–helpneededwithjob
applications,etc.
n Lackofco-ordinationbetweenagenciesproviding
services–inter-agencyco-operationacross
geographicandotherboundariesisimportant.
Behaviour managementn Alcoholanddrugmisuseposemajorbarriersin
termsofaccessingemployment–addiction
counsellingandone-stopshopsneededforaddicts
seekinghelp.
n Learnednegativebehaviourandnegativepeer
pressure–counsellingcouldimprovestress
managementandbehaviourmanagementskills.
n Mentalhealthproblems–accesstocounsellingand
todrop-incentrescouldpromotepositivepersonal
development.
Accommodationn Prisonersoftenhavenoaccommodationarrangedon
leavingprison-plannedreleasecouldhelpwiththis.
Halfwayhousingcanbeausefulfirststep–itmust
bewellorganised,wellrunanddrug-free.
n Manyreleasedprisonersdon’twanttogohome–
familyliaisonofficerswouldbeusefulinmaintaining
andre-buildingfamilyrelationships.
n Ex-offenderstendtohaveshorttenanciesdueto
disputeswithlandlords–atenancysustainment
officercouldhelptoavoiddisputes.
Educationn Ex-offendersmayfeelexcludedfromboth
mainstreamandfurthereducation–need
encouragementbothinsideandoutsideprison.
n Learningdisabilitiesandliteracyproblems–need
extrasupportandtuition,usingnewlearning
methods.
n Negativeselfimageandpeerpressure–positivepeer
mentoringcouldhelpex-offendersandencourage
themtoformnewpeergroups.
Employmentn Disclosureofcriminalrecordcanleadto
discrimination–equalitylegislationand
expungementlawscouldaddressthisproblem.
n Prejudice–shouldbeaddressedbyGovernment,
leadingbyexample.Fearsaboutex-offendersshould
beaddressed.
n Socialwelfarerulescancreateapovertytrapwhere
thepersonisbetteroffnotworking–thisshouldbe
addressedbyinitiativeslike‘FreshStart’,where
welfarepaymentscontinuewhenapersonreturnsto
employment.
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Tenth Annual Conference – Community, Custody and Aftercare: The Journey Towards Social Inclusion
Workshop C: Voices of the families of prisonersCo-ordinators:LarrydeCléir,MarieO’Shea;
Chair: FinbarrO’Leary;Rapporteur:SarahAdamczyk
LarrydeCléiristheDirectoroftheBedfordRowFamily
ProjectinLimerick.Theprojectworkstoprovidesupport,
information,trainingcourses,counsellingandoutreach
tofamiliesaffectedbyimprisonment.MarieO’Sheahas
beeninvolvedwithBedfordRowforseveralyears.This
workshopdiscussedthedifficultiesfacedbyfamiliesof
thoseinprisonandhowtheycouldbehelped.
Problems faced by familiesn Shameandembarrassment:Itisoftendifficulttotalk
aboutafamilymember’simprisonment,particularly
withtheusualcontactsoffriends,neighboursand
evenextendedfamily.TheBedfordRowFamily
Projectworkstoputfamiliesintouchwithone
anothersothattheyrealisetheyarenotaloneand
canseethatothersmaybeincomparable
circumstances.
n Honestywithchildren:Thegroupdiscussedwhatto
tellchildrenwhenaparentgoestoprison.Itwas
agreedthatitisbesttotellchildrensincetheywill
probablyfindoutanywayand,iftheylearnthattheir
caregiversarelyingtothem,theywillhaveeven
moreproblemstrusting.Whenoneparentissentto
prison,itisessentialthatchildrenmaintainahigh
leveloftrustwiththeremainingcaregiver.
n Powerlessness:Familiesmayfeelpowerlessfora
varietyofreasons,includinglackoninformationand
difficultiesvisitingprison.Theymayalsoexperience
emotionalproblemswhenvisitingandseeingthat
theimprisonedfamilymemberisstillusingdrugsin
prison,orcontinuestostrugglewithdepressionor
suicidalthoughts.
Helping families of prisonersThegrouptalkedabouthowtoactuallymeasuresuccess
whenworkingwithfamiliesofprisonersandwhat
successmaymeanforeachfamily.Successinthissense
maybedeeplypersonal,varyonacase-by-casebasis,
andislikelydifferentforeachfamily.
Overarchinggoalsincludeawareness-raisingsothat,
throughprogrammessuchasBedfordRowFamily
Project,thereismoreattentionfocusedontheimpact
onfamiliesandthekeyrolefamilieswillplayin
reintegrationandrehabilitation.
Thereshouldbeagreaterfocusontheassetsfamilies
bringtothereintegrationofex-offenders.Thereisoften
afocusontheroleoffamilybackgroundincontributing
tooffending.However,itisalsoimportanttotakea
positiveapproachandseehowfamiliescanbehelpedto
providethestrengthandsupportwhichwillbekeytoan
offender’srecovery.
Workshop D: Coping with exclusion – the journey of a survivorCo-ordinator:GerardMannixFlynn;
Chair:NorahGibbons;
Rapporteur:KatharineMcGillicuddy
Thisworkshopdrewontheco-ordinator’sown
experiencesofsocialexclusion,detentionandtaking
controlofhisownlife.Thegroupdiscussedissues
contributingtosocialexclusionandmade
recommendationsonhelpingpeopletotakecharge
oftheirownlives.
Issues relating to social exclusion and offendingn Humanity:Itisimportanttorememberthat
offendersandex-offendersarehumanbeings.Their
choicesinlifemayhavebeenseverelyaffectedby
theirfamilycircumstances.
n Languageandlabelling:Terminologycanlabel
peopleandmakethemreluctanttomakechangesin
theirlives.Forexample,labellinganareaas
‘disadvantaged’or‘crime-ridden’couldmakepeople
livingtherefeelthatthesituationisoutsidetheir
control,andthatthereisnothingtheycando.
n Limitations:Therearelimitsonwhatcanbedoneto
helpanotherperson–thepersonhim/herselfneeds
towanttochange.Someseriousoffendersmaybe
beyondhelp;whereaslessseriousoffendersmay
respondwelliftheyarehelpedwithaddictionor
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Association for Criminal Justice Research and Development Ltd
mentalhealthproblems.Usinganexamplefroma
battlefield,itsometimesmakesmoresensetorescue
thosewithlesserinjuriesthanthosewhoarevery
seriouslyinjured.
Recommendationsn Professionalism:Peopleinvolvedinhelpingto
rehabilitateex-offendersordivertpotentialoffenders
needtohavebothskillsandhumanity.
n Earlyintervention:Interventionshouldtakeplaceas
earlyaspossible,atprimaryschoolorpre-schoolage.
n Long-termsolutions:Thereisaneedtorecognise
thatchangetakesalongtime.Forexample,aperson
beingreleasedfromprisonmayneedsupervision
overalongperiodoftimebeforehe/shetakes
ownershipoftheirownactionandisreadytomake
arealchange.
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Tenth Annual Conference – Community, Custody and Aftercare: The Journey Towards Social Inclusion
SarahAdamczyk QueensUniversityBelfast
SeánAylward DepartmentofJustice,EqualityandLawReform
PaulBailey BOND
SimonBall CourtsService
LorettaBarrett DepartmentofJustice,EqualityandLawReform
SerenaBennett ParoleBoard
MikeBerry OberstownGirlsSchool
DeirdreBigley CoppingOn
SonyaBrady NationalCrimeCouncil
AidanBrowne ChildrenActsAdvisoryBoard
MauraButler ACJRD
BrendanCallaghan NationalCrimeCouncil
GeraldineCleere WaterfordInstituteofTechnology
CatherineCoakley CorkPrison
GeraldineComerford ACJRD
SheilaConnolly CorkAllianceCentre
JacintaCuneen UniversityofLimerick
PaulCunningham NationalCrimeCouncil
LarrydeCléir BedfordRowFamilyProject
SinéaddeRóiste LinkageProgramme
TimDesmond NCCLGalleriesofJustice
JaneFarrell OfficeoftheDirectorofPublicProsecutions
CathalFlynn ChildrenActsAdvisoryBoard
GerardMannixFlynn FarCryProductions
PatriciaFlynn OberstownGirlsSchool
BrianFriel BOND
MaryGeaney IrishYouthJusticeService
NorahGibbons Barnardos
JenniferMargaretHayes HealthServiceExecutive
DamienHearne TrinityHouseSchool
SylviaHoare DublinInstituteofTechnology
BrianHogan OberstownBoysSchool
GráinneJennings MattTalbotCommunityTrust
GerryKeating AnGardaSíochána
CONFERENCEPART IC IPANTS
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Association for Criminal Justice Research and Development Ltd
NoreenLanders OfficeoftheDirectorofPublicProsecutions
KatherineMcGillicuddy UniversityCollegeCork
FergusMcNeill ScottishCentreforCrime&JusticeResearch
SinéadMcPhillips ACJRD
JudgeMaryMartin CommissiononRestorativeJustice
EmerMeehan ACJRD
PatMinihan AnGardaSíochána
BrianMoss GardaSíochánaOmbudsmanCommission
KarenMurray PFI
TonyMurray StVincentdePaul
JoanO’Connor OberstownGirlsSchool
TonyO’Donovan IrishYouthJusticeService
SeánO’hÉigeartaigh NationalEconomic&SocialForum
FinbarrO’Leary ChildrenActsAdvisoryBoard
CiaránO’Searcaigh ChildrenActsAdvisoryBoard
JoyO’Shaughnessy PFI
KathleenO’Toole GardaSíochánaInspectorate
BrianPurcell IrishPrisonService
SeanQuigley IrishPrisonService
GerryRaftery BridgeProject
JessicaRoot IrishPenalReformTrust
BrianRowntree NorthernIrelandHousingExecutive
FrancesRussell CorkPrison
IanScully MattTalbotCommunityTrust
VickySeaman CorkAllianceCentre
DeirdreSeery TrinityHouseSchool
MaireadSeymour DublinInstituteofTechnology
ElaineSlattery CéimarChéim
EmmaSliney CorkAllianceCentre
RoseSweeney ChildrenActsAdvisoryBoard
HelenThornton CourtsService
JoanneWilliams LawReformCommission
SallyWinters LawSociety
MichaelWoodlock OberstownBoysSchool
Reg. Office: Spade Enterprise Centre, St. Paul’s, North King Street, Dublin 7. Tel: +353 (0)1 617 4864 Fax: +353 (0)1 617 4895 Email: enquiries@acjrd.ie Web: www.acjrd.ie
Association for Criminal JusticeResearch and Development Ltd
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