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PBNI Welcome Carl Frampton: On Probation
The Probation Board for Northern Ireland welcomes the broadcast of ‘Carl Frampton: On Probation’ on BBC One Northern Ireland which tells the story of front-line probation staff working with service users and victims of crime to make communities safer.
The series, produced by DoubleBand Films is intended to take viewers behind the scenes of probation in Northern Ireland and gives unprecedented access to the work carried out by the probation service. It shows the complexity of the work probation does working with people who have addictions, poor mental health and experiences of trauma. It shows how staff work to supervise people who are subject to community sentences, managing risk and protecting the public.
Commenting on the series Board Chair Glenn Houston said: “This is an unprecedented opportunity to take people behind the scenes and show them the reality of working in probation. Probation staff work in challenging circumstances and carry out a dual role of supporting people to change but when they do not take the opportunity to change, they are held to account”.
He continued: “This series of programmes shows the importance of building relationships with people to support them to change and tackling the causes of crime to prevent people offending in the future. We all need to do our best to explain and raise awareness of the work carried out right across the justice system and I think this production will help people understand the complexity of the work we do and the demands we face. I am very proud of all the staff who took part.”
Chief Executive Amanda Stewart said: “We have been working with the production company for a number of years to try and explain the realities of the work we do and raise awareness of probation which is perhaps one of the least well understood areas of justice. For the first time in probation’s history in Northern Ireland, we opened our doors to let people see exactly what our work entails. As Chief Executive I am committed to openness and transparency, and I wanted the public to see the decisions we make and the impact we have”.
She continued: “It was also very important in making this series that we heard from victims and reflected their views. In episode 6 we hear the powerful story of a survivor, and she recounts the impact of the crime on her and her family. It is an impactful story of resilience and courage”.
“I am incredibly proud of the staff who took part in this series and the staff who worked in the background to make it happen. Probation staff are dedicated and committed public servants, and this series demonstrates how they go above and beyond every day to make Northern Ireland safer.”
ENDS
The series begins on BBC One Northern Ireland on Monday 18 May at 10:40pm and will also be available on BBC iPlayer.
Contact Gail McGreevy 07825897955 for further information.