REQUEST FOR TENDERS FOR RESEARCH PROJECT
EXPLORING THE USE OF PRISON-BASED EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES
AMONG THE TRAVELLER PRISON POPULATION
INTRODUCTION
This study is being commissioned by the Traveller Justice Initiative
(TJI) which is an initiative of the St Stephen’s Green Trust’s
(SSGT).
The Traveller Justice Initiative (TJI), formerly known as the
Travellers in Prison Initiative was established in **Apply on the
website** as a response to the particular needs and circumstances of
Travellers in prison in Ireland. SSGT also receives funding for the
TPI from the Irish Prison Service (IPS), the Probation Service and the
SSGT.
Travellers as a whole – and Traveller women in particular - are
over-represented in Irish prisons. Although only accounting for 0.7%
of population in the Republic of Ireland, *% of
the entire prison population and *% of the
female prison population (based on a census of Travellers in prison
undertaken by the Irish Prison Service in November and December
*).
The overall aim of the TJI is to embed positive change in policy and
practice. The TJI has identified five key action areas that have the
potential to inform policy and practice in a pragmatic and sustainable
manner. They are:
* Building a knowledge base about Travellers in prison
* Increasing and improving access to prison-based services for
Travellers
* Strengthening supports for families of Travellers in prison, and
after prison, using a multi-agency approach
* Strengthening self-identity and self-advocacy for Travellers in
prison by mainstreaming a peer-support model
* Increasing awareness and capacity through training and learning
programmes to prison service and probation service staff.
An inter-agency Steering Group has been appointed to guide the
direction of the TPI which is chaired by the National Traveller
Women’s Forum and includes representatives from Pavee Point, the
Irish Traveller Movement, IASIO, the Irish Prison Service, the
Probation Service, the Irish Penal Reform Trust, Mincéirs Whiden,
Traveller MABS, Exchange House, Traveller Counselling Service, the HSE
Social Inclusion Unit, the Irish Red Cross, the Education and Training
Board, the Traveller Mediation Service and Parish of the Travelling
People.
BACKGROUND TO THE RESEARCH PROJECT
Education and training are important prison-based services, and
participation in both is key to improving outcomes for prisoners and
reducing recidivism. Education and training service providers and
Travellers alike acknowledge the barriers and poor outcomes for
Travellers accessing prison-based education services. The TJI’s
strategic plan identifies the following themes as important in
addressing the barriers to participation:
* Encouraging Traveller participation through identifying barriers,
and articulating and presenting benefits of participation – these
are expected to enhance Travellers’ confidence and motivation to
participate1
* Creating an atmosphere in which participation is both normal and
positive – achieved through visibility of Traveller culture, role
models, materials throughout prisons and commitment of services to
provide culturally appropriate services, and the development of
cultural competence among service providers
* Supporting the development of (culturally) appropriate services
Since *, the TJI has undertaken a number of
actions relating to this subject matter including a baseline survey of
* City of Dublin Education and Training Board
(CDTEB) teachers (in Irish prisons) on matters relating to Traveller
participation in prison education and training services, and a
consultation process with prison-based services around issues of
access by Travellers in prison.
These identified factors influencing access to prison-based education
and training services can be a combination of personal and educational
barriers (literacy, prior experience); institutional barriers arising
from the design of prison-based services (lack of relevance for
Travellers, lack of training for staff delivering services) and also
practical and logistical barriers (security issues arising from
prisoner segregation, lack of adequate space, low staffing levels).
The research also identified the need for engagement with Travellers
and Traveller organisations to establish and meet prisoners’ needs
(including outreach on the landings, open days, etc); training on
Traveller inclusion, anti-racism, equality and diversity training; and
the provision of Traveller-specific resources.
Arising from the needs identified, the TJI initiated a number of
responses in collaboration with the CDETB. This included delivery of
cultural awareness and diversity training for teachers in the prison
schools, the development of a Traveller Liaison Teacher (TLT) role in
Dublin prisons, which was a function undertaken by one of the
Education and Training Board teachers.
Subsequently, in Autumn *, each of the schools
across the entire prison estate in Ireland identified a volunteer
among the teaching staff to take on the role of Traveller Liaison
Teacher (TLT). The TJI believes that the establishment of the TLT
roles provides an important opportunity to enhance educational
outcomes for Travellers across the prison estate.
The work of the TJI has been detailed in an ‘Evaluation Spotlight’
briefing document which can be accessed
We need : English (Good)
Type: Permanent
Payment:
Category: Others
