Baseline Study of Nenagh Community Reparation Project 2002 The Research Process

Aims of the Research
The principal aims of the research as set out by the management sub-committee were:

1. to review the Nenagh Community Reparation Project;
   
2. to identify future strategies for the on-going development of the project.

Objectives of the research were

• to examine the process currently in place;
  
• to analyse the interaction between the parties involved;
  
• to get feedback from offenders, victims and panel members;
  
• to provide a review of the project.
  

Research Methodology
The research involved three approaches: structured interviews, postal questionnaires and consultative meetings. The interviews were carried out with the offenders. The aims of the interviews were to evaluate the Project's effectiveness from the offender's perspective.

Questionnaires, enclosing stamped addressed envelopes, were sent by post to the panel members. The aim of the questionnaires was to allow panel members an opportunity to give feedback on their experience of working with the Project. On-going consultative meetings were held with the Project Co-ordinator in order to identify the sample/ offenders; identify the victims; review the design of the questionnaires; assist with interview schedules and liaise with the management sub-committee.

Questionnaires
Two sets of questionnaires were used, one for the offender and victim and the other for panel members.
The questionnaires were divided into the following sections: prior knowledge of project; meeting of panel/offender/victim; contract details; and the future of the Nenagh Community Reparation Project. The offender's questionnaire had two additional sections namely personal and referral details while the panel members questionnaire included a section on training.

Between March, 2001 and January 2002, twenty offenders were referred to the Project and form the basis for this research.
One offender had defaulted on his contract and one was ill and unable to participate. Questionnaires were sent to eleven panel members. One member was unable to respond due to illness. There were four victims. Three victims were contacted by letter (and subsequently by telephone) and one of these met with the Project Co-ordinator by appointment. In these three cases, the process was explained and an offer to attend the panel meeting extended. In none of the three cases did the victim express a wish to take part in the meeting with the offender but wished certain points to be conveyed through the Project Co-ordinator. The issue of reparation was discussed with a view to obtaining a satisfactory contract of reparation from the victim's point of view. In these three cases, the victims were contacted by telephone after the panel meeting to inform them of the outcome.
They were also contacted on completion of the contracts to outline the success of the contract. In the fourth case, the victim was to be contacted by a third party. There was a difficulty with this and no direct contact between the victim and the Project was achieved.

Interview Arrangements
Interviews were held with the offenders on completion of the contract. They were arranged through letter and telephone and taped. All but one of the interviews were held in the Nenagh Community Reparation office. One was held in the offender's home because of family circumstances. At least one member of staff or management was also present on the premises while the interview was in progress.

Characteristics of participants

Contracts
There were 20 offenders referred to the Project. All offenders lived in Nenagh District Court area. The usual length of time offenders were on contract was four to eight months.

Table 1. Number of Contracts Agreed in the Nenagh Community Reparation Project

In the case where the contract was not completed the offender completed the panel meeting. The offender subsequently re-offended and the contract was withdrawn.

 

Participants
Eighteen male and two female offenders participated in the Project.

Table 2: Gender of offenders Nenagh Community Reparation Project

 

Age of Offenders
The offenders ranged in age from seventeen to forty years. The majority of the offenders were in the 20-24 year age group.

Table 3: Age Range in the Nenagh Community Reparation Project.

 

Education Levels
One offender had his Group Certificate. Three offenders completed junior Certificate. Seven offenders had attended school to Leaving Certificate. Three had commenced third level but one left after one year.

Table 4: Education Levels

 

Employment Status
The majority (15) of the offenders (75%) referred to the Nenagh Community Reparation Project were employed, two, (10%), were unemployed and three (15%) were students.

Table 5: Employment Status in the Nenagh Community Reparation Project

 

Nature of Employment
The majority of offenders who were in employment held positions which required
particular skills.

Table 6: Nature of Employment in the Nenagh Community Reparation Project

 

Offences referred to the Nenagh Community Reparation Project
Nenagh Community Reparation Project dealt with a representative range of offences.
The most common were public order offences (45% of cases) possession of drugs
(35% of cases,) assault (10%), and criminal damage (5%)

Table 7: Offences referred to the Nenagh Community Reparation Project

 

Previous offending of offenders in the Nenagh Community Reparation Project
All offenders in the Nenagh Community Reparation Project had no previous
convictions.

Table 8: Previous Court Appearances of offenders in the Nenagh Community Reparation Project

 

 

Conditions of Contracts
A contract may be defined as an agreement by the offender to perform certain tasks
as reparation for the offence committed. Each contract is developed to address the
issue of reparation and to promote the personal development of the offender.

Each contract contained some of the following conditions agreed with offenders:

• attend addiction counselling;
  
• make financial repayment;
  
• become involved in sports activities;
  
• visit schools to highlight drink/drug problems;
  
• offer apology to victim;
  
• monitor and assess their own social behaviour;
  
• miscellaneous.
  
  

Success of Contract
Nineteen of the offenders have successfully completed their contracts to-date, In one case a contract was agreed but the offender re-offended before the case was returned to Court. The contract was not proceeded with.

Table 9: Completion of contracts by offenders in the Nenagh Community Reparation

Profile of Panel Members
There were eleven panel members in total. Ten panel members completed the
questionnaire.

Table 10: Profile of panel members

Occupation

There were three males and eight females on the panel. Panel members attended
meetings with offenders a minimum of two and a maximum of five times each during
the past year. The majority felt they could be available for panel meetings more
often.

Development of Project in 2001
As part of the development of the Nenagh Community Reparation Project, representatives attended at and participated in a number of events in 2001/ early 2002.

• Attendance at and participation in the National Conference of Restorative justice, June 9th, 2001.
  
• Presentation to Victim Support Conference in Thurles, 22nd September, 2001.
  
• Negotiation regarding further training August/September 2001.
  
• Commencement of supervision for panel members 15th November, 2001.
  
• Attendance at launch of Tallaght Victim/Offender Mediation Project 21st November, 2001.
  
• Membership of and attendance at the A.G.M. of the Irish Penal Reform Trust
  
• Presentation to National Economic and Social Forum
  
• Presentation to and participation at National Crime Council, March 2002.
  
• On-going provision of information on restorative justice and the Project to third level and student gardaí