The Probation Service


Probation Officers work in all of the prisons and places of detention. Their work in custody includes advising and assisting prisoners with issues which have led to their offending behaviour, in order to help them avoid reoffending; and helping them cope with the impact of imprisonment. This work involves:

Motivating prisoners to use the period of imprisonment to address their offending behaviour;
Contributing to the throughcare process, where the offender will be subject to supervision by the Probation Service post-release.
Contributing to multi-disciplinary working in prisons, for effective sentence management and delivery of rehabilitation and other services;
Helping prisoners, their families and other social supports in preparing for positive re-settlement in the community;
Providing assessments and reports to the Department of Justice and Equality, Irish Prison Service, Parole Board and other appropriate bodies as required.
Helping to co-ordinate and assisting community based bodies in the provision of services to prisoners, their families and communities, aimed at reducing offending and assisting prisoners’ resettlement within the community.

Further information is available on the Probation Service website.