Mission…”to reduce crime and its impact on people and communities”

Jeff Maxwell. Senior Practitioner, NIACROJeff Maxwell. Senior Practitioner, NIACRO

Northern Ireland

• * Northern Ireland(population of 1.7million)

Belfast (population of 268,389)

Background of ConflictBackground of Conflict

• Rapid increase on Prison Population since Rapid increase on Prison Population since 1970s1970s

• Focus on Security rather than Focus on Security rather than RehabilitationRehabilitation

Some communities developed approaches Some communities developed approaches to deal with their problemsto deal with their problems

• Defined communities Defined communities • Significance of Voluntary and Community Significance of Voluntary and Community

SectorSector

Impact on Communities Impact on Communities

• Good Friday Agreement 1994Good Friday Agreement 1994

• Legacy of the conflict Legacy of the conflict

• Escalation of illegal drug tradeEscalation of illegal drug trade

• Recent increase in Dissident paramilitary Recent increase in Dissident paramilitary activityactivity

• DEVOLUTION of Justice Powers to the DEVOLUTION of Justice Powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly – April 2010Northern Ireland Assembly – April 2010

ContextContext

• Northern Ireland has lengthy experience of Northern Ireland has lengthy experience of offenders being under threat / at risk of violence offenders being under threat / at risk of violence from paramilitary organisationsfrom paramilitary organisations

• Every year more than 900 people present to Every year more than 900 people present to NIACRO as under threat and around 40% are at NIACRO as under threat and around 40% are at risk in their communityrisk in their community

• Most have to leave their area for their own safetyMost have to leave their area for their own safety

What is Base 2?

• Established 1990

• Aims to provide a crisis information, clarification and support service for individuals and families who may be at risk of violence in the community.

Casualties as a Result of Paramilitary - Style Shootings (PSNI)

102

76 70

142 2 0

47

176 12 5

18

4433

149

9376

26

720

4533

10

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

2003 2004 2005-06- 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-2010 2011-2012

Nu

mb

er

of

Casu

alt

ies

Loyalist

Republican

Total

Total referrals over the last seven years

1099

958 925 887832

925 939 913

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

2003 2004 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2011-2012

Nu

mb

er o

f R

efer

rals

Total referrals

Casualties as a Result of Paramilitary - Style Assaults (PSNI)

101

7157

3645

26

69

3448 45

19 12 10 13 13 16

149

116

76

48 45 41

82

50

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

2003 2004 2005-06- 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-2010 2011-2012

Nu

mb

er

of

Casu

alt

ies

Loyalist

Republican

Total

Total referrals over the last seven years

1099

958 925 887832

925 939 913

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

2003 2004 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2011-2012

Nu

mb

er

of

Refe

rrals

Total referrals

Alleged Source of Threat Graph

Alleged Source of Threat

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

2003 2004 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-2011

Loyalist

Republican

Community

Nature of threatNature of threat

• Republican threats have increased significantly, due to increased activity by Dissident organisations and there has been increase in the number of punishment shootings, abductions and assaults.

• 52% occur in the Greater Belfast area.

203 209

501

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

LOYALIST REPUBLICAN COMMUNITY

2011-12

Housing Executive Involvement

Housing Executive Involvement

33%

47%54%

62% 63%59% 57%

64%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

2003 2004 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-2011

%

Functions of the Housing Executive

• Established 1971 by Housing Executive Act 1971

• Examine housing conditions and housing requirements

• Draw up programmes to meet those needs• Manage Housing stock ( 90,000 properties)• Effect Improvement of condition of housing stock

Alleged Reason for Threat

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

2003 2004 2005-06 2006-7 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-2011

ASB

Drugs

Joyriding

Sectarian

Sex Off

Assault

Internal

Monies owed

Family feud

Race

Sexual Orientation

Selected Outcomes of Service

287

176

12698

152181

201

57 4619 18 6 20 24 22

308 296324

435456 467

438460

3760 67 81

61 62 69 58

296

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

500

2003 2004 2005-06- 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-2011

Left Area

Left Country

No Threat exists

Threat Lifted

APAC• Working in Communities

• Working with Children and Young People who Offend

• Providing Services to Families and Children of Offenders

• Supporting Offenders and Ex-prisoners in the Community

• Working with Prisoners

• Influencing Policy Makers and the General Public

Offending in Northern IrelandOffending in Northern Ireland

• Around 1,500 people in prison population but Around 1,500 people in prison population but 5,000 are committed each year5,000 are committed each year

• 72% male and 70% female sentenced prisoners 72% male and 70% female sentenced prisoners suffer from two or more mental health disorders suffer from two or more mental health disorders …… …… Social Exclusion Unit Report (Home Office 2002)Social Exclusion Unit Report (Home Office 2002)

• Around 4,000 people supervised by Probation Around 4,000 people supervised by Probation Board each yearBoard each year

How Does APAC Work• Assessment of reintegration needs – Suitability of Accommodation,

Health – physical/mental, and addictions, Education/Training and Employment

• Agrees a Plan – clarify area of responsibility, identify significant support structures in the community, including family members etc

• General counselling and support, befriending, establishing social networks, advice on budgeting, assistance in support of independent living.

• Awareness raising in terms of needs of neighbours and the community, responsibilities and consequences.

Person-centred ApproachPerson-centred Approach

• *

EnvironmentEnvironment

CommunityCommunity

FamilyFamily

IndividualIndividual

IndividualIndividual -Mental health, addictions, response to up-bringing, institutionalisation, life skills, attitudes and self control, poverty

FamilyFamily -Family impact, families health, family support

CommunityCommunity -how they view their community, what is in their community, how the community deal with the clients issues

EnvironmentEnvironment -poverty, housing issues unemployment, limited access to education or employ- ment opportunities

Recovery Resettlement• Right living environment

• Good relationships

• Financial Security

• Satisfying work

• Personal growth

• Developing ones own cultural

& spiritual perspective

• Developing resilience to possible adversity

• Being listened to & understood

• Getting explanations

• Being believed in

• Being empowered

•Accommodation•Family & community•Offending behaviour•Finance•Physical health•Mental health•Addictions•Education / Employment•Coping skills•Motivation•Self esteem•Use of time