<p>Colm O’Regan talks candidly to Neil and Derek. Neil is a Senior Probation Officer and Derek was a Probation Service Client, and in this episode they talk about their relationship, working together, challenges and difficulties and how positive partnerships are a crucial element to successful outcomes in Probation. This episode contains some strong language.</p>

“What’s The Probation Service All about then?”

Colm O'Regan presents On Probation, a podcast all about the Probation Service in Ireland.
In this podcast series, Colm explores the work of the Probation Service: What does it mean to be on probation? What does a Probation Officer do? What is it like for someone to be on probation? And ultimately, does probation work?
Many of us seem to have at least some understanding of the various aspects of the Criminal Justice System in Ireland, like the role of the Gardaí, the court system, and the Prison Service. However, we're often less familiar with the Probation Service and the important work it does. We’ll delve into topics such as reintegration, rehabilitation, and community service, asking whether those who have committed offences can safely reintegrate into our community.
In the coming episodes you will hear from the voices of the Probation Service, and those working in or alongside the Service. Colm interviews those with the lived experience of committing an offence, some very serious, but who have the hope and the will to change their behaviours and make good the harm they have caused through crime, and how the Probation Service supports them to achieve that outcome. He also speaks with victims of crime on how the Probation Service has supported them through the process of Restorative Justice.
The heart of the Probation Service is in the community. The Probation Service funds Community Based Organisations across Ireland who support and assist reintegration. I will be meeting with various community based organisations around the country to get first-hand accounts on the multifaceted challenges they face and their approaches to reduce offending and support rehabilitation and reintegration.
If you’re in any way curious about the workings of the Criminal Justice System in Ireland, please listen in.