Published date:
The 14th annual Cross-Border Public Protection Advisory Group (PPAG) Seminar is being held in Belfast today, Friday 1 December 2023.
The Seminar themed “Opportunities and Challenges for delivering Criminal Justice in a Changing Environment” provides an opportunity for staff working in public protection to enhance collaboration and share learning between criminal justice partners.
Speaking at the Seminar, Amanda Stewart OBE, Chief Executive of the Probation Board for Northern Ireland (PBNI) said she was delighted to host today’s event: “The annual PPAG seminar provides an opportunity for us to strengthen our networks and partnerships and look at what else we can do to share information and best practice to prevent reoffending. As well as Probation, the Public Protection Advisory Group brings together staff from the Prisons, Justice Departments and Police and An Garda Síochána. Today we acknowledge what has been achieved across borders and boundaries and look to what we can achieve together in the future.”
Today’s seminar, held in the Ulster University Belfast campus is host to representatives from across criminal justice in Ireland North and South, to consider new and innovative practice and explore ways to further develop and increase partnership working.
Commenting on this year’s Seminar, Mark Wilson, Director of the Irish Probation Service, said: “Collaborative work has always been essential to what we do in probation. The annual PPAG Seminar is a time to reflect on and celebrate how we already work together, North and South, as well as with our other partner Justice organisations. It also gives us a unique opportunity to further build on our existing interagency initiatives, to create safer, fairer and more inclusive communities.”
Note for Editors
The Public Protection Advisory Group [PPAG] which is jointly chaired by the Chief Executive of the Probation Board for Northern Ireland and the Director of the Probation Service, has organised today’s Seminar. This PPAG was established in 2006 to specifically address how increased cross-border co-operation could be taken forward and to implement the probation elements of the agreed work programme coming from Government.
Media Enquiries: Gail McGreevy, 07825897955 or Lisa Maginnis, 07979758011
Presentations
Police Service of Northern Ireland
An Garda Siochana Presentation
Governor Mark Holmes, Northern Ireland Prison Service and Assistant Governor James Keely, Irish Prison Service presenting at the seminar and responding to questions afterwards Irish Prison Service Presentation
Probation Officer Emma Richmond, Probation Board and Senior Probation Officer Shauna Hawes, Probation Service presenting at the seminar and then answering questions