Northern Ireland

Intervention developed to tackle reoffending by young men

It is the first programme to examine how masculinity and gender stereotypes affect decision-making
It is the first programme to examine how masculinity and gender stereotypes affect decision-making It is the first programme to examine how masculinity and gender stereotypes affect decision-making

A NEW intervention programme aimed at reducing offending among young men launched today is "the first of its kind".

The `Back on Track' programme, aimed at offenders aged between 18 and 29 and initially developed by Probation Board NI (PBNI) forensic psychologists who were asked by the Maltese authorities for help.

However, during its development, it became clear "there are many similarities between issues faced in Malta and Northern Ireland," Director of Rehabilitation Dr Geraldine O'Hare said.

"In both jurisdictions we know that the factors that lead to young people committing crime include drug and alcohol abuse, poor family relationships, a lack of training and opportunity and impulsive and poor decision making."

Men make up 89 per cent of PBNI's caseload and 35 per cent are under 30 years old.

The pilot "aims to address the problematic thinking and behaviour that has influenced and led to offending behaviour" with one-to-one work to identify the issues causing offending and to regulate behaviour and develop coping strategies.

It is the first programme to examine how masculinity and gender stereotypes affect decision-making and will "work with the men on both positive and negative elements of masculinity, and how to build self-esteem, confidence, and positive self-image".