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23rd November, 2016

 

The annual Cross-Border Public Protection Seminar held in Dublin today, Wednesday 23rd November 2016 heard from representatives from the probation services, police services and prison services north and south about projects they are developing to enhance public protection. 

The theme for this year, “Partnership Working in Public Protection – Keys to Success”, provides an opportunity for staff working in public protection to enhance collaboration and share learning between criminal justice partners.

Today’s seminar brings together representatives from police, prison, probation and government departments in Ireland North and South to consider new and innovative practice and explore ways to further develop and increase partnership working that protects the public.

Speaking at the Seminar, Vivian Geiran, Director of the Probation Service said:

I am delighted that this year, the Probation Service is hosting the seventh annual cross border seminar on public protection and I wish to warmly extend my thanks to Cheryl Lamont, Chief Executive of the Probation Board for Northern Ireland, and all of our colleagues from the criminal justice agencies both north and south, who have joined us here in Dublin today.

This annual event provides a unique opportunity for the criminal justice agencies, from both jurisdictions on this island, to come together to share and build our knowledge and experience of working more effectively with offenders in our communities.

Partnership and co-operation across all agencies of our criminal justice systems is vital in our joint efforts to enhance public protection and today’s theme of partnership will showcase collaborative innovations which will assist in information sharing, joint training and contribute to our common goal both north and south, in ensuring that our communities are made safer.”

 

The Chief Executive of the Probation Board for Northern Ireland, Ms Cheryl Lamont said: “Today’s event highlights the close and effective working relationship both probation services and other justice sector organisations have across this island. Through this partnership we have delivered joint protocols to protect the public, joint training to build capacity amongst practitioners and we continue to share new practice and research findings.   

 

“I was delighted that a range of projects were discussed today including the Enhanced Combination Order developed by probation as an alternative to short prison sentences; the child disclosure scheme that was introduced earlier this year and is managed by the police service; and the developments within Hydebank Wood Secure College”.

 

As Chief Executive of the Probation Board I will continue developing positive, meaningful and sustainable relationships with our criminal justice colleagues both North and South. Partnership is key to providing real opportunities for organisations to come together and provide better outcomes for justice.”

 

Note for Editors
The Public Protection Advisory Group [PPAG] which is jointly chaired by the Director of the Probation Board for Northern Ireland and the Director of the Probation Service has organised today’s Seminar. This PPAG was established in 2006 to specifically address how increased cross-border criminal justice co-operation could be taken forward and to implement the offender management and probation elements of the agreed work programme coming from the two Ministers.