Proposals to reform Probation Board for Northern Ireland due for consultation
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Naomi Long
Proposals to reform the Probation Board for Northern Ireland (PBNI) will go out to consultation “in the coming weeks”, justice minister Naomi Long has said.
Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland (CJINI) last year recommended that the Department of Justice should review the founding legislation of the Probation Board and consult on proposals for changes to its status and governance arrangements.
In a 109-page report which found issues of “culture and trust” within the organisation, the watchdog said the Probation Board was “too large for the size of the organisation” and recommended a reduction in the number of Board members.
Mrs Long told MLAs that her Department “has begun work to progress” the recommended review of the Probation Board (Northern Ireland) Order 1982.
“Officials have been engaging with the Probation Board and others to identify areas for consideration and options to inform the development of proposals for consultation,” the minister said.
“We have informed CJINI that this work is now underway and have agreed to keep them apprised of developments. We hope to consult on proposals in the coming weeks.
“The justice committee will be invited to consider our plans for consultation and to scrutinise any proposed changes to the 1982 Order.”
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