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Author: DOJ Team

Carrickfergus Neighbourhood police officers box clever to engage with young people

Posted on by DOJ Team

Research shows that community confidence in policing is a key factor in addressing paramilitary control. This year, the programme has invested £145,000 to help improve long-term relationships between police and communities.


PSNI Neighbourhood Constable Richard Cull

One such project is a boxing programme in Carrickfergus aimed at addressing anti-social behaviour and paramilitary influence through sport and fitness.

We spoke to Neighbourhood Policing Officer Richard Cull who has been leading this initiative:  “Every Saturday night 20-30 young people aged between 10-18 years take part in a boxing session, with Neighbourhood Officers in attendance. Projects like this help us to develop relationships with these young people which helps to lower or even end offending before it begins, whilst encouraging those who may be vulnerable to criminal or paramilitary influence to make positive life choices.

 

“The young people seem to be really enjoying the project so far and it’s inspiring to see the change in some of them as the weeks progress.”

Programme Team takes part in global Human Rights Event

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Ohio State University’s Mershon Center for International Security Studies held a virtual conversation with Special Rapporteur Fionnuala D. Ní Aoláin about the role of human rights protection in the context of global counter-terrorism regulation.


Claire Hazelden, Research Analyst for the Programme said: “We were delighted to be part of this perceptive and thought-provoking conversation and to have the opportunity to provide insight from our own research into ending harm and addressing vulnerability. This ongoing partnership is an important part of how we share our data on ‘what works’ for people and communities in Northern Ireland, as well as continuing to hear from those engaged in innovative work across the world.”


The program was co-sponsored by the Mershon Center for International Security Studies, Corrymeela Community, Northern Ireland Executive’s Tackling Paramilitarism Programme, Ulster University, and the United States Institute of Peace.


Click below to watch the event recording.

The Aspire Project; working with young men in the Justice System

Posted on by DOJ Team

The Programme works across NI supporting people and communities to end the harm from paramilitary influence in the here and now whilst also working to break the long-term cycle of violence and criminality.

 

An important part of that is helping young men who are in the Criminal Justice System. Since 2017, our partners at the Probation Board have been leading the award-winning Aspire project to reduce criminality and risk-taking behaviour in young men aged 16-30.

 

Probation works closely with other organisations including NIACRO and ASCERTNI and restorative justice agencies to support their needs. 

 

Their team of dedicated Probation staff work closely with service users to achieve the best possible outcome.

 

Please see some key statistics below: