THE PROBLEM In 2015, 76.1% of prison sentences in Northern Ireland - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

THE PROBLEM

• In 2015, 76.1% of prison sentences in Northern Ireland were for 12

months or less

• The re-offending rate for people released from a prison sentence
• f 12 months or less was 47.2% for those released during 2013-14
• Cost per prisoner place in Northern Ireland in 2015-16 was

£57,643 (based on certified normal accommodation of 1,914 - current population 1488 30/09/16)

ACTIONS

• Criminal Justice Issues Group Workshop on short-term prison

sentences in January 2015 made 15 recommendations

• Lord Chief Justice meeting with PBNI senior officials - May
• Enhanced Combination Order (ECO) proposed with presentation

to Minister and senior Criminal Justice officials- June

• PBNI proactive engagement (internal and external) - July/August
• Presentation to barristers/solicitors and Lord Chief Justice’s

speech to open the Legal Year – September

• Commencement of Pilot - 1 October 2015

Enhanced Combination Order Pilot

Lord Chief Justice, Sir Declan Morgan, with PBNI Deputy Director, Paul Doran.

OPERATING PRINCIPLES

• 1. Victim Focus
• 2. Desistance and What Works
• 3. Sentencer Engagement
• 4. Enforcement
• 5. Collaborative Working

KEY FEATURES

• Assessment, including views of victim
• Qualifying Criteria
• Restorative Element to Community Service

and Supervision

• Civic Responsibility/Appropriate Intervention
• Restrictions/Intensive package
• Support for Desistance (mental health

assessment/parenting support)

DVD

court orders

community victims

programmes prisons courts Partnerships safety

Community service

SUCCESS TO DATE

• 198 Enhanced Combination Orders made
• Low level of reported re-offending
• Platform for improved engagement with legal

profession, community/statutory partners and victims organisations

• Popularity among staff and opportunity for

further extension

• In line with international best practice

ANY QUESTIONS