New Director of Reducing Offending appointed

The Department of Justice has today announced the appointment of a new Deputy Secretary to lead the Reducing Offending Directorate.

Ronnie Armour will take up the post at the beginning of February following a recent open recruitment competition.

Mr Armour has most recently led the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service and the appointment has been welcomed by Justice Minister Claire Sugden.

She said: “Ronnie has a wealth of experience with justice issues and this will be important in his new role as Director of Reducing Offending.

“His recent experience in the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service will be crucial as he takes on responsibility for the Prison Service and Youth Justice Agency.  I wish him well in his new role.”

He said: “It is a great privilege to be appointed as Director of Reducing Offending.   I look forward to working with the Minister, the Department and wider stakeholders as we seek to support people in custody, to address their offending behaviour and to develop policies and initiatives that will help divert young people from coming into contact with the justice system. 

“While I do not underestimate the challenges that lie ahead, I know both organisations are firmly focused on delivering the Programme for Government commitment to reduce offending and reoffending in order to deliver a safer community in Northern Ireland.”

Notes to editors: 

1.         Ronnie Armour joined the Civil Service in 1983 and has held a number of posts including as Director of Human Resources in the Northern Ireland Prison Service. In 2014 he was appointed as Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service.

2.         Reducing Offending Directorate (ROD) provides end to end support to individuals to reduce the risk of offending through diversion, intervention, rehabilitation and joined-up custodial services. ROD is responsible for the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) and the Youth Justice Agency (YJA) and for delivering reducing offending policy.

3.         Media enquiries to the DOJ Press Office on 028 9052 6444. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07623 974 383 and your call will be returned.

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