Menu
11/12/2014
Cuts Will 'Fundamentally' Affect Probation And Rehabilitation
Cuts being proposed by the Executive would fundamentally change probation services and the rehabilitation of offenders in Northern Ireland, according to the Probation Board.
Chair of Probation Board Vilma Patterson said today: "On Friday the Probation Board will meet to discuss the draft budget which proposes a 12% decrease in the budget allocation for PBNI. This means our budget for 2015-16 will be £16,243k which is a reduction of over £2m.
"A potential decrease in funding of this magnitude will fundamentally change how we carry out our business. Research shows that investing in probation has the potential to save money throughout the criminal justice system, so these proposed cuts are not only going to impact adversely on probation but also on all of criminal justice."
Ms Patterson said about 82% the board's budget is spent on salaries and fixed costs and that the cuts would require them to further examine staff costs in the next year.
"In the last number of months we have had to change our practice as a result of staffing pressures," she said. "For example the level of contact with most offenders has been decreased, and our service to victims will be impacted. We will now have to reduce our contribution to a range of multi-agency partnerships including those which manage offenders who have committed certain serious sexual and violent offences."
Pam Hunter, Chief Executive of Nexus, a charity for survivors of sexual abuse and violence, said: "As an organisation representing victims and survivors of sexual violence we have seen at first hand the positive impact of probation programmes and probation officer’s specialist skills in helping prevent reoffending. Successful rehabilitation of offenders will mean fewer victims. Unfortunately without sufficient investment in probation services there is the potential that there will be more victims of crime for which there is already limited funding also."
(IT/MH)
Chair of Probation Board Vilma Patterson said today: "On Friday the Probation Board will meet to discuss the draft budget which proposes a 12% decrease in the budget allocation for PBNI. This means our budget for 2015-16 will be £16,243k which is a reduction of over £2m.
"A potential decrease in funding of this magnitude will fundamentally change how we carry out our business. Research shows that investing in probation has the potential to save money throughout the criminal justice system, so these proposed cuts are not only going to impact adversely on probation but also on all of criminal justice."
Ms Patterson said about 82% the board's budget is spent on salaries and fixed costs and that the cuts would require them to further examine staff costs in the next year.
"In the last number of months we have had to change our practice as a result of staffing pressures," she said. "For example the level of contact with most offenders has been decreased, and our service to victims will be impacted. We will now have to reduce our contribution to a range of multi-agency partnerships including those which manage offenders who have committed certain serious sexual and violent offences."
Pam Hunter, Chief Executive of Nexus, a charity for survivors of sexual abuse and violence, said: "As an organisation representing victims and survivors of sexual violence we have seen at first hand the positive impact of probation programmes and probation officer’s specialist skills in helping prevent reoffending. Successful rehabilitation of offenders will mean fewer victims. Unfortunately without sufficient investment in probation services there is the potential that there will be more victims of crime for which there is already limited funding also."
(IT/MH)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
20 June 2006
NI paedophiles to be moved away from schools
The Northern Ireland Office has said that known paedophiles are to be moved from hostels located close to schools. In a statement from the NIO said that the move was in line with a change in Home Office policy, which was announced at the weekend.
NI paedophiles to be moved away from schools
The Northern Ireland Office has said that known paedophiles are to be moved from hostels located close to schools. In a statement from the NIO said that the move was in line with a change in Home Office policy, which was announced at the weekend.
02 May 2013
Inspectors Praise NI Probation Services
An independent inspection report on how the Probation Board for Northern Ireland (PBNI) supervises offenders within the community has found that on many occasions the standards applied in Northern Ireland exceed those in place in England and Wales.
Inspectors Praise NI Probation Services
An independent inspection report on how the Probation Board for Northern Ireland (PBNI) supervises offenders within the community has found that on many occasions the standards applied in Northern Ireland exceed those in place in England and Wales.
09 December 2021
Justice Minister Announces Review Of Probation Board For Northern Ireland
Justice Minister Naomi Long has announced a new public consultation as part of a review of the Probation Board for Northern Ireland (PBNI). The review considered options for the future status of PBNI and proposes that it should continue to be an independent arm's-length body.
Justice Minister Announces Review Of Probation Board For Northern Ireland
Justice Minister Naomi Long has announced a new public consultation as part of a review of the Probation Board for Northern Ireland (PBNI). The review considered options for the future status of PBNI and proposes that it should continue to be an independent arm's-length body.
24 October 2012
Chair Of The Probation Board For NI Appointed
Vilma Patterson has been appointed as Chair of the Probation Board for Northern Ireland. Mrs Patterson has been appointed following an open competition regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments Northern Ireland. She will take up office on 1 December 2012, succeeding Ronnie Spence.
Chair Of The Probation Board For NI Appointed
Vilma Patterson has been appointed as Chair of the Probation Board for Northern Ireland. Mrs Patterson has been appointed following an open competition regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments Northern Ireland. She will take up office on 1 December 2012, succeeding Ronnie Spence.
09 June 2003
Petrol bomb attack on Derry office of NI Probation Board
Police are appealing for information after office premises were damaged in a petrol bomb attack in Londonderry yesterday. The incident happened at the Northern Ireland Probation Board office at Crawford Square, off the Northland Road at around 5am.
Petrol bomb attack on Derry office of NI Probation Board
Police are appealing for information after office premises were damaged in a petrol bomb attack in Londonderry yesterday. The incident happened at the Northern Ireland Probation Board office at Crawford Square, off the Northland Road at around 5am.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
