Mayo Sligo and Leitrim ETB play key role at conference highlighting rehabilitation

Over 300 Further Education and Training (FET) leaders and practitioners, including those from Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board (ETB), gathered for their national conference which was held on February 25 and 26. Those in attendance heard from the Irish Prison Service about the critical role played by Education and Training Boards in the Criminal Justice System, in delivering prison and community education, and about the need for continuity “beyond the prison gates”.

Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Marian Harkin TD, speaking ahead of her address to the conference stated that: "Education and training provide structure, purpose and practical skills that can make a real difference in people’s lives. My Department is proud to support the ETB’s in delivering prison and community education in partnership with the Irish Prison Service. This is about creating clear pathways and real opportunity, so that people have the supports they need to progress into further learning, training and employment."

Addressing delegates at the Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) National FET Conference, Sligo native Dr. Emma Regan, Director of Care and Rehabilitation with the Irish Prison Service said: “Recent international analyses has found that people who engage in prison education are significantly less likely to reoffend. Post-secondary education shows the strongest effects, with vocational and adult basic education also delivering meaningful reductions. Education also improves employment outcomes, with increased likelihood of gaining employment following engagement.”

Dr. Regan added: “We also know this is vital in supporting rehabilitation and public safety in the Irish context. CSO data shows over half of those released in 2019 reoffended within three years. However, if we are serious about reducing the figures, we must ensure that our interventions are supported beyond the prison gates and that there are joined-up education and training pathways from custody to community.”

Further information about the Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim ETB is available here.