Conference to examine role of trauma in offending in Northern Ireland

The role that trauma plays in criminal offending rates in Northern Ireland will be explored at a conference bringing together a number of criminal justice agencies.

The event organised by Probation Board NI (PBNI) will highlight that more than 70% of offenders they deal with have issues related to emotional wellbeing.

Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan, director general of the Prison Service Ronnie Armour, senior assistant director of the Public Prosecution Service Marianne O’Kane and Dr Paul Gallagher from the Wave Trauma Centre, will be among those taking part in the event.

PBNI chief executive Amanda Stewart said understanding the context of why people offend would help them to protect the public.

Ms Stewart said: “Our staff have identified a growing issue with high numbers of people on our caseload who have been exposed to trauma and who are dealing with the impacts of that trauma.

“For example, over 72% of people on probation have a problem in relation to emotional wellbeing and half of people have mental health issues.

“That is why we are bringing together a range of partners and experts in the field of trauma from throughout the island of Ireland to help us identify and understand how to deal with this issue.”

She added: “Offending behaviour does not happen in isolation, there is nearly always a context to it.

“Understanding why people offend enables us to reduce the likelihood of re-offending and protect the public.

“The reasons why people offend are often linked to an individual’s life-course and development, with past experiences having an impact upon why they have offended.

“For example, we know that people who have suffered adversities in childhood like neglect, abuse, or lack of support are much more likely to enter the justice system.

“If we can recognise and understand the impact of past events on the lives of people who commit offences, we can support them to move away from crime and help to rehabilitate and reintegrate them into society.

“We also know that working in this difficult environment can have an impact on the wellbeing of our staff and that is why we want to support our own people and build a positive working environment so that we can effectively deliver services to those who most need it.”

The keynote speaker at the conference on Tuesday will be Helen McKenzie, director of the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland.

Ms McKenzie said: “To be truly trauma informed we need not only to focus on the people who seek support but equally on the people and systems who provide that support.

“By applying a trauma informed approach, we are recognising that everyone has a role to play in supporting opportunities and life chances for people affected by trauma and adversity.”