In Prisons and Places of Detention
Probation Officers work in all of the prisons and places of detention in the State. Our work in custody includes:
- Advising and assisting prisoners in dealing with issues which have led to their offending behaviour and in managing personal affairs (including anti-social attitudes, addictions, mental illness, homelessness etc);
- Co-ordinating and assisting community based bodies in the provision of services to prisoners, their families and communities, aimed at reducing offending and assisting prisoners’ resettlement within the community;
- Assisting prisoners in coping with the effects of imprisonment;
- Helping prisoners, their families and social supports in preparing for positive re-settlement in the community;
- Contributing to multi-disciplinary working in prisons, for effective sentence management and delivery of services; and
- Providing assessments and reports to the Department of Justice, Irish Prison Service, Parole Board and other appropriate bodies as required.
We fund and support community organisations that provide opportunities and support to prisoners and their families. These services provide health, education, training, work, accommodation, counselling and other support services. They assist prisoners in establishing themselves as positive, contributing members of their communities. Details of these services can be found in our Community based projects and programmes section.
