The Minister for Justice said it was invigorating to see offenders taking a positive approach and changing their lives. Mr McDowell was presenting certificates to nine participants in the intensive probation programme run by BRIDGE.
BRIDGE provides an integrated programme for serious high-risk offenders from Dublin who are in danger of going to prison, or are serving a sentence, who want to change their lifestyle and manage addiction difficulties.
It is staffed largely by the Probation and Welfare Service and City of Dublin VEC, with input from FÁS, the Irish Youth Foundation, the social partners, the judiciary, Garda and the ESRI. These are all represented on the board. The Department of Justice provides €170,000 in funding.
Mr McDowell said the project was committed to best practice and to managing offenders to reduce the risk of re-offending.
"Evidence-based practice has to be at the core of work with offenders to ensure ongoing public protection, changed behaviour and value for money," he said. "International research has shown that some interventions with offenders are effective in reducing re-offending."
He pointed out that his Department was funding a research feasibility study by the Institute of Criminology in UCD to further assist and advise in the area of reducing offending behaviour.
The programme offers an alternative community-based sanction by addressing the factors that contribute to criminal behaviour. Those who participate have to confront past criminal behaviour, the effect of such behaviour on victims, motivations and patterns of offending, drug and alcohol misuse and pro-criminal and anti-authority attitudes.
The supervision programme includes addressing offending behaviour, anger management, and developing access to education, training and support. It also offers one-to-one support.
The manager of the programme, Ms Ursula Fernee, introduced the participants, who are not publicly identified. There are three programmes annually, and 75 per cent complete them successfully.