The Probation Board says such projects not only enhance local environments but also help offenders develop skills, discipline, and a sense of responsibility through visible, practical work.
The Probation Board has launched its first alleyway cleansing programme in Poleglass, marking a new partnership between the organisation and the local community. The initiative, which began this week, will see the Board’s Community Service teams working to improve the cleanliness and safety of alleyways across the area.
The project has been organised in collaboration with Sinn Féin councillor Caoimhín McCann and supported by MLA Danny Baker, alongside other community services. It represents a new approach to tackling environmental and antisocial issues in the neighbourhood, with local representatives saying it will help improve living conditions for residents.
Probation teams are carrying out the work as part of their community service commitments, which aim to support rehabilitation and give back to local areas. The Board says such projects not only enhance local environments but also help offenders develop skills, discipline, and a sense of responsibility through visible, practical work.
Speaking to Belfast Live, Cllr. McCann said: “This piece of work from the Probation Board community service will make a massive difference to residents in Poleglass. We have been working with local residents over recent months on a range of issues in alleyways and now having probation board supporting this work has massively enhanced the impact we can make.
“The probation board team have done a fantastic job transforming the alleyways, their willingness to support our community and the wider support from within Poleglass, particularly Sally Gardens and officers from the Housing Executive, made this possible.”
“I look forward to the Probation Board’s continued work in our area.”
Probation Chief Executive Amanda Stewart commented: “Probation values being present in and working with the community in Poleglass to transform the alleyways, make a difference to residents and make communities safer. Community sentences are effective in dealing with the root causes of crime, supporting people to make better choices to change their lives, and therefore reducing the number of victims of crime.
“Community service is one of the most effective community sentences, with three out of four people who complete it not going on to re-offend within one year. This sentence, which requires people to carry out demanding and challenging work, also helps them gain new skills and discipline, as well as giving back to local communities.”
Ms Stewart continued: “Probation works with the community to deliver almost 100,000 hours of community service every year. Working with local communities enables our service to understand and be responsive to local needs, to be better networked with statutory and community partners and ultimately, to assist those referred to us to reintegrate into the communities and lead more productive lives. Importantly, we also work with victims of crime to give them a voice and have a say on the type of work the person who has offended should undertake.”
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