PBNI: Substance Misuse Problem Solving Court

Overview

The Problem Solving Justice pathway is seeking to redirect more offenders away from justice at the point of entry and deal more effectively with those who continue to reoffend in order to break the cycle of offending. In effect it is aiming to shift the curve.

To be successful, its aim is to take an approach to develop a suite of programmes, each targeted at a specific group of offenders and aiming to deliver behaviour changing programmes. The over all approach has a problem solving ethos dealing with a complex offender population.

PBNI has been funded to contribute to the development and service delivery of the Problem Solving Substance Misuse Court. Research highlights there is a solid evidence base which demonstrates that alcohol and drug misuse are a significant problem in Northern Ireland. Significantly research also indicates that when the correct interventions and services are put in place, and made available to offenders at the right time, this can reduce levels of crime and impact.

The Problem Solving Substance Misuse Court is a pilot project and its effectiveness will be evaluated upon completion of the pilot term.

PBNI invites applications from organisations that can meet the requirements and deliver on the objectives of the project in the Community and Voluntary Sector.

The successful applicant will deliver the required service from 1stJanuary 2018 for the duration of the pilot of the programme (12 months).

Level of Funding

The contract is for the provision of the Problem solving Substance Misuse Court pilot, as detailed above. The project is expected to commence on 1 January 2018 for the period of one year up to a value of £127,000. Funding for the 2017-18 financial year, covering the period 1 January 2018 – 31 March 2018 will be £32,000. Funding for the 2018-19 financial year covering the period 1 April 2018 – 31 December 2018 will be £95,000.