Justice Minister Naomi Long recently visited the Belfast headquarters of the Probation Board for Northern Ireland (PBNI) to gain firsthand insight into their vital work.

Accompanied by PBNI Chief Executive, Amanda Stewart, and Board Chair, Glenn Houston, the Minister engaged with staff to understand how they manage the complex challenges of rehabilitation, reintegration, and reducing re-offending.

Praising the service, Minister Long, said: "It's invaluable to hear firsthand from staff at the Probation Board for Northern Ireland, the approaches used to enable safer communities by helping people to desist from crime and stop reoffending. Breaking the cycle of reoffending by working across the courts, communities and prisons takes great partnership and dedication. This partnership approach is essential in order to tackle re-offending and the causes of crime."

During her visit, the Minister discussed a range of issues, from the effectiveness of community sentencing to the critical importance of responding to victims' needs. The PBNI plays a significant role in the justice system, as evidenced by its recent activities. Up until the end of March this year, the organisation supervised 4,107 service users under a combined total of 5,743 orders, licenses, and sentences. Furthermore, PBNI staff completed 6,397 pre-sentence/court reports and provided support to 566 victims registered with the Victim Information Scheme. The Victim Information Scheme in Northern Ireland allows victims of crime to receive information about the offender's sentence, general supervision details, and offers opportunities to discuss concerns or engage in restorative contact if desired.