Vivian Geiran

The Probation Reoffending Statistics for the 2013, 2014 and 2015 cohorts show that the level of reoffending within one year has fallen from 35.5 per cent in 2008 to a low of 28 percent in 2013 and 30.3 per cent in 2015.

Under-18s are almost three times more likely to reoffend as those aged 45 or over, according to the figures, which are published under reservation due to ongoing concerns about data accuracy.

Overall, those sentenced to a Community Service Order were less likely to reoffend than those sentenced to a Probation Order (41.6 per cent compared to 49.6 per cent for the 2013 cohort over a three-year period).

Commenting on the figures, Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said: “These results are encouraging and highlight the valuable contribution made by the Probation Service to the criminal justice system and to the safety of our communities.”

He added: “The fact that the majority - over 54 per cent - of 2013 probationers did not reoffend within the full three-year time period studied is positive, particularly given that even the most minor transgression and court-imposed penalty is treated as reoffending in this study.”

Vivian Geiran, director of the Probation Service, said: “The reoffending rates reflect improvements in Probation Service supervision, and indicate that we are continuing to perform well. Areas for improvement, such as young persons, are also noted and we are currently working to develop better systems in this regard.”

Mr Geiran added: “Timely, accurate data is very important in terms of outcome measures to enable evidence informed policy and service delivery. The CSO operates to the highest standards and the Probation Service is pleased to continue to partner with them on such significant work going forward.”