Probation Services for Women

One in seven of all people under our supervision are women. 

Probation Officers are trained in what we call, ‘gender-informed’ practices, and there are staff in all of our regions with experience and expertise in addressing the particular challenges that women face. Ways of working include: specific programmes, practical arrangements or options which are suitable and supportive of women, taking into account, among other things, their role as parents. Probation Officers also facilitate group work programmes, both in the community and in the Dóchas Centre - the women’s prison in Dublin.

While most women who offend may pose a low risk of harm to society, they usually present with high levels of need. This range of needs includes: homelessness; mental-health issues and addiction.

A holistic/ co-ordinated and multi-agency response: We work very closely with a wide variety of services - statutory, voluntary and community based, to support the women under our supervision. In practice, this involves linking women with local services that can help with challenges they may be experiencing at the time, e.g. financial stress, parenting and so on. Prompt referral and effective communication with a variety of agencies is beneficial and a key feature of our way of working with women.

In prison: In the event of a woman being sentenced to prison, a “through care” model is adopted by the Probation Service with the Irish Prison Service. This links the woman to appropriate services in the prison setting and the community - to provide every opportunity for rehabilitation and re-integration after release.

Community Based Organisations

Tus Nua Accommodation and support for women at risk of homelessness