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Date: April 29, 2024 Mon
Time: 11:54 pm
Time: 11:54 pm
Results for gypsies (u.k.)
1 results foundAuthor: Gabhann, Conn Mac Title: Voices Unheard: A Study of Irish Travellers in Prison Summary: The Travellers in Prison Research Project, (TPRP), an initiative of the Irish Chaplaincy in Britain, (ICB), conducted research across prisons in England and Wales during the period August 2010 to March 2011 in order to establish an accurate picture of prisoners from an Irish Traveller background. The culmination of this research, Voices Unheard, is the first study of Irish Travellers in prison in England and Wales. It is first and foremost a presentation of data regarding Irish Travellers in prison. By accurately describing the situation of Irish Travellers in prison, it is hoped that the report proves to be a catalyst for effective monitoring of this prisoner group and consequently, the efficient re-deployment of available resources for Irish Travellers in prison. Effective service delivery to Irish Travellers in prison can result in a reduction in re-offending amongst this group and a corresponding reduction in the harm done to society in general. Voices Unheard, thereby, can represent a positive way forward for both the Irish Travelling community and wider society. Since 2003, HM Prison Service has been aware of the failure to adequately address the needs of Irish Travellers in prison in England and Wales. Irish Travellers suffer unequal hardship in prison. Poor levels of literacy, mental illness, limited access to services, discrimination and prejudicial licence conditions for release, disproportionately affect Traveller prisoners. Despite official recognition of these issues and the size of the Traveller population perhaps being as high as 1% of the overall prison population, little intervention has taken place to encourage rehabilitation amongst this group. Without appropriate strategies for Travellers in prison, society will continue to bear the social and economic burden of warehousing an ethnic group who cannot access education courses because they cannot read; a group that cannot complete rehabilitation programmes because they cannot write; and a group that cannot file their grievances because they cannot complete forms. Irish Travellers are members of a legally recognised ethnic group which has been a part of British society for centuries. Irish Travellers were, until the 1950s, an integral part of the rural economy in Britain, providing a wide range of skills and labour. Urbanisation, mass production of plastics, the mechanisation of agriculture and the bureaucratisation of society have undermined the traditional basis of the Traveller economy. Irish Travellers, as a result, have become marginalised economically and in turn, have become increasingly marginalised socially. A hostile media and definitively anti-nomadic legislation such as the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, have exacerbated the precarious condition of this group. Irish Travellers have not always adapted to the dynamics of contemporary life in Britain. Committed to retaining their strong family bonds and nomadic way of life, many Travellers have refused to assimilate into British society. On occasion, maintaining the Traveller way of life, has, for some Travellers, meant living apart from mainstream society. Experiences of pervasive prejudice from within mainstream society, for example, in terms of accommodation or educational opportunities, have conditioned some in this community to become less concerned with society’s rules and more interested in their own survival and prosperity. TPRP found that this narrative frequently results in the imprisonment of Irish Travellers. Overall, TPRP found that prisons are ill-prepared to deal with this distinctive prisoner group, failing to address the needs of Irish Traveller prisoners and consequently, failing in broader ambitions to reduce recidivism. Voices Unheard enumerates the challenges facing Irish Travellers in prison and makes initial recommendations for the improved delivery of services to this prisoner group, for the benefit of the Irish Traveller community and wider society. Details: London: Irish Chaplaincy in Britain, 2011. 91p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 19, 2011 at: http://www.iprt.ie/files/Voices_Unheard_June_2011.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.iprt.ie/files/Voices_Unheard_June_2011.pdf Shelf Number: 122109 Keywords: Ethnic GroupsGypsies (U.K.)InmatesMinority GroupsPrisoners |