Long: Better prisons mean fewer victims and stronger communities
Date published:
Creating correctional systems that are safer, more effective and more focused on rehabilitation benefits everyone, from victims and communities, to wider society.
This will be the message from Justice Minister Naomi Long as she addresses delegates at Belfast's first Correctional Research Symposium.
Hosted by the Northern Ireland Prison Service, the five-day event brings together leading academics, practitioners and policymakers from across Europe and beyond to share research, innovation and evidence on what works in modern correctional services.
Justice Minister Naomi Long said: "Safe, secure and decent custody must always be our starting point. But our ambition must go further than simply containing risk.
"When people in our care are supported to tackle addiction, improve their health, reconnect with their families, gain qualifications and develop skills for employment, we create the conditions for lasting change.
"That means fewer victims, safer communities and better outcomes for society as a whole.
"Reducing offending and reoffending cannot be the responsibility of the justice system alone. Many of the underlying causes lie in issues such as addiction, poor mental health, educational disadvantage, poverty and social exclusion.
"That is why the Executive is committed to a more joined-up, cross-government approach that tackles the root causes of offending and supports people to build positive futures."
The Minister highlighted the importance of research and international collaboration in shaping effective correctional policy and practice.
She said: "The most effective correctional systems are those that are willing to learn, adapt and innovate.
"Research provides the evidence that helps us understand what works, while collaboration allows us to learn from the experiences of others.
"Northern Ireland has built strong partnerships with counterparts across these islands and internationally, sharing expertise and learning from best practice. Through our work with organisations such as EuroPris and ICPA, we are helping to shape and benefit from a growing international community of practice.
"Progress happens when people come together with openness, curiosity and a shared determination to improve outcomes. This symposium provides exactly that opportunity."
Notes to editors:
- The International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA) and the European Organisation for Prison and Correctional Services (EuroPris) fourth Correctional Research Symposium is being hosted by the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS).
- ICPA and EuroPris share the belief that quality research can help direct both the design and delivery of correctional services. The tradition of Correctional Research Symposiums (CRSs) is an expression of that belief and an opportunity for researchers and practitioners to come together and discuss the challenges of getting from research to practice.
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