Justice Minister Naomi Long has launched a Bail Support Pilot for women in Belfast and Ballymena, designed to enable eligible women on remand to remain safely in the community while they await trial.

The scheme will provide a structured, supported alternative to custody, helping participants maintain accommodation, sustain family links and access services as their cases progress. Around 20 women will be supported at any one time, with dedicated accommodation provision expected by April 2027.

Justice Minister Naomi Long said: "Too many women in the justice system have experienced trauma, poor mental health, addiction, domestic abuse or other significant challenges. For some, a short period on remand can disrupt housing, family relationships, employment and support networks, often making it harder to address the issues that brought them into contact with the justice system.

"This new Bail Support Pilot Scheme will provide eligible women with the practical and emotional support they need to live safely in the community while awaiting trial. Through a dedicated bail support worker, women will receive tailored, trauma-informed support designed to help them address underlying needs and build stability in their lives.

"By intervening earlier and providing appropriate support in the community, we have an opportunity to reduce harm, improve outcomes for women and their families, and enhance community safety. Strong partnership working between criminal justice agencies, the judiciary and voluntary sector organisations will be central to the success of this pilot."

Minister Long added: "This pilot represents an important step towards a more responsive and effective approach for women in the justice system. I want to thank all partners involved in its development and delivery, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact it can make for women, families and communities."

The programme will be delivered in partnership by Depaul and Niacro, with the Probation Board for Northern Ireland providing a court liaison role. Fiona Greene, Chief Executive of Niacro, said: "This marks an important new chapter for Niacro and reflects our commitment to supporting women in the justice system at critical points in their lives. By helping women remain safely in the community while addressing the challenges they face, the service aims to reduce the disruption that remand can have on individuals, families and communities, while improving longer-term outcomes. We are pleased to be delivering this pilot in partnership with Depaul and look forward to working closely with the Department of Justice, the Probation Board and other partners to make a real difference."

Deirdre Canavan, Deputy Director, Depaul Northern Ireland said: "We are delighted to be involved in the Women's Bail Support Scheme. For many years, we have seen first-hand the impact that housing insecurity can have on women involved in the criminal justice system. Safe, stable accommodation can be the foundation for rebuilding a life, and we are proud to be working in partnership with the Department of Justice, Niacro and the Probation Board to make that possible."

Stephen Hamilton, Director of Operations for the Probation Board for Northern Ireland, added: "The Probation Board welcomes the introduction of this innovative Bail Support Pilot for women. Through our court liaison role, our staff will work closely with the courts and partner organisations to provide information to support judicial decision-making and help ensure that women can safely access appropriate support within the community. Evidence consistently shows that women in contact with the justice system often have complex needs linked to trauma, mental health difficulties, substance misuse and unstable accommodation. By supporting eligible women to remain in the community while awaiting trial, this pilot will help reduce unnecessary disruption to family life, strengthen engagement with services, address underlying causes of offending behaviour and contribute to better outcomes for women, their children and wider community safety."

The pilot forms part of broader work to develop more effective, rehabilitative approaches for women in the justice system, focused on reducing reoffending and enhancing community safety. It will roll out in phases: initially supporting women on remand in Hydebank Wood College and Women's Prison, then extending by April 2027 to women appearing at their first Magistrates Court hearing after an overnight charge, and subsequently to those on police bail before a first court appearance.