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Women in the Criminal Justice system

Women in the Criminal Justice system. A Probation perspective for International women’s day events, March 2013. “It’s different for women”. Pathways into offending is different to men; Range of offences are different; more RTA,theft, less criminal damage, lower level of violence,.

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Women in the Criminal Justice system

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  1. Women in the Criminal Justice system A Probation perspective for International women’s day events, March 2013.

  2. “It’s different for women” • Pathways into offending is different to men; • Range of offences are different; more RTA,theft, less criminal damage, • lower level of violence,

  3. Overall Picture Many female offenders; • serve short prison sentences for relatively minor offences, few for violence • are poor, lack education, • Are low skilled, unemployed • are single parents of young children • Have significant accommodation needs • Have mental health issues • Abuse drugs/alcohol • History of abuse, childhood or adult trauma • Low self esteem, self worth.

  4. key messages from International Research; • Issues relating to children, abuse, self injury/suicide, addiction warrant attention in their own right • Accurate assessment= effective interventions. • More holistic approach leads to better interventions & outcomes • Female offending is multi –faceted & complex, • Community interventions for women to address needs can reduce offending /custody.

  5. How can we work bettertogether?

  6. Tallaght gender response Framework • Umbrella of Tallaght DTF & local partnership • Looks at the needs of women involved with the CJS • Statutory, NGOs/voluntary sector, TPP, housing, traveller community, service users voice. • Creating a space for women in local projects, groups. • Sharing of knowledge, what works, experience, sharing resources. • Raising awareness of issues.

  7. Tallaght cont.…… • Throughcare in/out Dochas, links with Probation & ISM prison officers. • In-reach services to Dochas • Input into pre-release programmes • One identified specialist Probation officer in Tallaght • Identified PO in Dochas for Tallaght women. • Community return /Community Service .

  8. How can we work better together? • Community sanctions • Case management • Family friendly appts • Female space within services • Holistic approach • Focus on strengths • Talk about impact of crime (self, family, children) • Keep in touch if imprisoned. • Outreach • Join up the dots!!!

  9. Probation in the Dochas centre. • Prison Based team, part of multi D team. • Assessment • Court reports, Parole Board reports • One to One • Group work ( SAOl, talking to children) • HSE links, Case conferences • Community & Family links • Projects • ISM process • Through-care/Tus Nua. • Post Release Plans • Community Return • Joint training with prison staff (WASP, Child protection) • Restorative justice pilot.

  10. Looking to the Future • Specific Female offender Strategy, a different approach, expand on current initiatives, • Gender responsive assessments, projects, interventions • Better co-ordination of services • Utilise community resources • Research/evaluation ,test

  11. Some challenges ! • Change of thinking/direction • Complexity of issues facing female offenders • Develop special skills • Resources, joint up approach • Wider CJS issues, sentencing, policy development. • Equality ….and justice for all!

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