Probation Board for Northern Ireland facts for kids

The Probation Board for Northern Ireland (PBNI) helps people who have broken the law. It works with the Northern Ireland Department of Justice. PBNI is part of a bigger group called Public Protection Arrangements Northern Ireland (PPANI). This group helps keep everyone safe.

PBNI has 13 members from different backgrounds. They guide the Probation Service. About 430 people work for PBNI. Half of them are probation officers. They work in 31 offices across Northern Ireland. Probation officers need special training in social work. Other staff help supervise community work or manage the offices.

PBNI's job is to check on people who have been found guilty of crimes. They write reports for courts to help judges decide sentences. They also write reports for groups like parole commissioners. PBNI supervises over 4,000 court orders at any time. They also offer special programs to help people change their behaviour.

How Probation Started in Northern Ireland

Early Days: 1908 to 1930s

The first official probation officers started work in Belfast in 1908. This happened after a new law, the Probation of Offenders Act 1907, was passed. This law allowed judges to appoint officers to supervise people on probation. Some of the first officers came from local charities. Judges were in charge of probation services back then.

In 1921, Northern Ireland became its own region. The Ministry of Home Affairs took over justice matters. In 1928, this Ministry created the first rules for the Probation Service. In 1935, a group called the Lynn Committee was set up. They looked at how to help young people and deal with young offenders. At this time, probation was used much more in England and Wales.

Growing the Service: 1936 to 1960s

In 1936, the Ministry of Home Affairs became responsible for hiring probation officers. The money for this came from the Dog Licence Fund. In 1936, the service cost only £312.

The Lynn Committee shared its findings in 1938. Their report looked at reasons why young people might break the law. These included not having jobs, poor homes, and too much time at cinemas or dance halls. But World War Two (1939–1945) stopped these ideas from being put into action.

The first head of probation was James McAdam in 1946. His job was mostly to help train and guide other officers.

In 1950, Northern Ireland passed its own Probation Act. This law was based on the Lynn Committee's ideas. The Ministry of Home Affairs then took full control of the Probation Service. Officers became civil servants with proper salaries and pensions. The law also made it a rule for probation officers to check on people accused of crimes. They had to write reports to help courts decide the best sentence. Also, a law about children and young people meant officers had to be told when young people went to court. They would then write similar reports.

In 1953, the Prison Act gave probation officers new duties. They now had to help people after they left prison. This was called post-release supervision.

Modernizing Probation: 1968 to 1982

The Children and Young Persons (NI) Act of 1968 set the age of criminal responsibility at 10. It also explained the court's powers for protecting young people. This kept the Probation Service involved with young offenders. Around this time, the Probation Service also started hiring its first university graduates.

By 1976, there were 45 probation officers and 7 support staff. There were also 23 trainees learning the job. This was a time when the Probation Service became more professional. It offered chances for staff to learn new skills.

During a difficult period in Northern Ireland, some of the probation officer's duties changed. New laws in the 1970s meant many more prisoners needed aftercare. But the Probation Service did not have to supervise people who had committed politically motivated crimes.

In 1979, a group led by Sir Harold Black reviewed the Probation Service. They suggested that the service should stay separate. It should focus on helping offenders and working with the courts. They also said that a board from the whole community should run the service. And there should be clear rules for how probation officers work.

In 1982, the Probation Board Order (NI) was passed. This officially created the Probation Board for Northern Ireland (PBNI). It became a public body with a chair, a deputy chair, and 10 to 18 other members. These members were appointed for three years. Jim Grew was the first Chair of PBNI.

Who Works at PBNI Now?

The current Chief Executive of PBNI is Amanda Stewart. The current Chair of the Board is Dale Ashford QFSM.