Published date:
Probation’s Assistant Director Aideen McLaughlin welcomed Belfast Lord Mayor, Councillor Ryan Murphy, to Probation’s North Belfast office to hear about its community-based justice work today, August 30. PBNI currently supervise over 450 people on probation in the North Belfast South East Antrim team.
The Lord Mayor spent time talking with Probation staff in Duncairn Gardens to hear more about the impact Probation is making in the Greater Belfast area. Area Managers Jacqueline Nicholson and Claire Houston briefed Councillor Ryan Murphy on the probation caseload in north Belfast and gave an overview of issues including housing and substance abuse which Probation officers encounter in their aim to change lives and create safer communities. North Belfast is a particularly challenging area in relation to a complex social landscape incorporating poverty and the trauma associated with the Troubles experience. There are high levels of substance misuse - PBNI make more than 1,000 addiction referrals each year- poor mental health, and nearly 500 suicide deaths in the past 20 years.
Probation staff also outlined partnership work with local community groups and the support this provides for service users. Local projects can make contact with PBNI for community service and, through Probation’s Victim Information Scheme, victims of crime can suggest the type of work they expect the person on probation to do, as part of Community Service.
After the visit, the Lord Mayor said: “Thank you to everyone in Probation’s north Belfast team for the warm welcome today. It was great to speak with staff and to hear more about the Graffiti Removal Service, which is delivered in partnership with Belfast City Council. As Lord Mayor, I have the privilege of getting to see so much good work that takes place throughout the city – and Probation is certainly making a very valuable contribution to making Belfast cleaner and safer.”