New report calls for a radical new approach to women who offend in Northern Ireland

A new report, published by NIACRO as part of their involvement in PRT’s UK wide Transforming Lives programme, has called for a radical new approach to women who offend in Northern Ireland. It criticises short-sighted funding cuts to valued and effective support programmes such as the Inspire model, whilst highlighting the resilience and expertise of the women’s community sector which has a unique history.

There are lessons to be learned from this report by other UK jurisdictions, including the need for more sustained investment in women’s support services, the use of Enhanced Combinations Orders, the development of problem solving courts and increased support for women in prison who have been affected by domestic abuse. Criminal justice is devolved in Northern Ireland so there is now an opportunity for the Department of Justice there to show a lead.