Tus Nua Annual Report 2011 by Depaul

A new beginning— beginning— Tus Nua provides women leaving Dochas with a safe, supportive environment which enables positive choices to be made for the future.

ANNUAL REPORT 2011

DEPAUL IRELAND TUS NUA

CONTENTS Foreword and Introduction

Vision, Mission and Values of Depaul Ireland

Mission and Aims of Tus Nua

HOME > Safety / Security / Ownership

HOME > Community / Relationships / Activity

OPPORTUNITY > Support / Reflect / Change

OPPORTUNITY > Having A Say / Moving On Successfully

CHOICE > Partnership / Empowerment / Responsibility

CHOICE > Barriers / Advocacy / Voice

Diversion and the Imprisonment of Women in Ireland

Statistics

Statistical Analysis

Closing Comments, Thanks and Acknowledgements

TUS NUA ANNUAL REPORT 2011

FOREWORD 2011 was a year of continued progress in Tus Nua which is a unique service in Dublin providing support in a residential setting for women leaving prison. The policy of continuing to lower the threshold for entry was maintained and the higher level of presenting needs in the women brought its own challenges to the service. Notwithstanding this, as the report shows, many positive outcomes were achieved and residents were assisted towards independent living and reintegration into society – key policy objectives of Tus Nua. This could not have been achieved without the dedication and professionalism of the staff team and our sincere thanks are due to them. The full co-operation and support received from the Probation Service and the Dochas Centre was also a major factor in the successful development of the service during 2011 and on behalf of the Board of Management I express our appreciation to both these agencies. Larry Tuomey Chair, Board of Management

INTRODUCTION The need for the support provided by Tus Nua has remained stronger than ever throughout 2011. In partnership with the Probation service, the SVP and the Irish Prison Service Depaul Ireland has continued to provide a specialised and quality service for the women with whom we work, supporting them to address their individual needs, reduce re-offending and reintegrate into wider society.

The women at Tus Nua have made remarkable changes and progress throughout this year and they have successfully dealt with challenges, setbacks and often with difficulties in being listened to. They have sought help when needed and each one continues to be an inspiration to the Tus Nua staff team. The staff team has been effective in supporting this positive work and remain committed to delivering high quality support for all at the service. The work at Tus Nua is also only possible with the strong partnerships we have with other agencies. With today’s high demand for our service, and with the current funding climate, our partnership working across many agencies continues to be a vital aspect of our work and we are very appreciative of how many people can work together to ensure an excellent support service to the women at Tus Nua. I would like to thank the Tus Nua committee, the Probation Service, the Prison Service, the SVP, and the Tus Nua staff team and volunteers for their commitment at Tus Nua in 2011; as well as all our external partners for their sustained partnership support. This report has been created by garnering the voice of Tus Nua’s residents—past and present, staff, managers, partners and supporters. We have chosen to use the core themes of Depaul Ireland’s Vision, Mission & Values as our focus— Home, Opportunity, Choice— as these both exemplify our foundations but also the personal journey of those who reside in Tus Nua. I welcome you to the Tus Nua 2011 Annual Report. Peter McKinney Project Group Manager, Tus Nua

OUR VALUES... At Depaul Ireland, we don’t believe in value statements for their own sake. Fundamentally we understand that our core values will determine the kind of service we deliver. So we believe firstly in being clear on why we want to deliver a service—responding to the needs of those most vulnerable with a human response—but also how we want to see the service take shape—meeting those needs in the most person-centred and effective way possible. At Depaul, our vision, mission and values are key aspects of who we are as an organisation, and a benchmark for our services to both aim for, inspire and reinvent.

VISION, MISSION AND VALUES OF DEPAUL IRELAND Tus Nua is part of a wider organisation, Depaul Ireland. Depaul Ireland was established in Ireland in 2002 and in Northern Ireland in 2005 and now manages twelve specialist services. Depaul Ireland belongs to a group structure and has services in the UK, Slovakia, Ukraine, USA and France.

Our vision is that everyone should have a place to call home and a stake in their community Our mission is to offer homeless and disadvantaged people the opportunity to fulfil their potential and make positive informed choices about their future. Our values are: We celebrate the potential of people We put our words into action We aim to take a wider role in civil society We believe in rights and responsibilities

TUS NUA ANNUAL REPORT 2011

...IN ACTION In Tus Nua the staff team work hard day by day and week by week to flesh out in real terms what our values mean in working with women leaving prison. This ongoing ‘conversation’ about values and how our service is shaped is also enriched by involving the women we work with—from decorating the ‘home’ that is Tus Nua and investing it with their own meaning, to commenting on and reviewing procedures and thresholds that impact on their lives in very real ways. In this sense our values are a foundation we build on, and they’re kept alive because of the ‘big conversation’ that is part of the daily life of the service.

MISSION AND AIMS OF TUS NUA Tus Nua’s Mission Statement is to provide women leaving prison and women with an offending background with safe, supported housing and a positive environment. We aim to support women in making choices for the future and aid their transition, positively reintegrating into the wider community.

We do this through our commitment to; • Prevent re-offending by recognising the

short-term and long-term needs of women availing of the service.

• Provide life skills and opportunities to promote independent living

• Respect the dignity and skills of each woman using our service

• Encourage service users to take a positive

role in the wider community and avail of the communal support while in the project through participation in house activities.

• Achieve excellence in the quality of our service

• Challenge and address barriers faced by

women leaving prison and women with a history of offending

• Work in partnership with other external services

HOME > SAFETY / SECURITY / OWNERSHIP The idea of ’Home’ is different for all of us, but safety, security, food, warmth, care, laughter and a space to call your own are usually not far off what it means to most. At Tus Nua, the staff, residents and volunteers work hard to create a ’home’ here, decorating the walls, tending the garden, carving out a space that reflects those who live and work here. From a cup of tea and a cake through to cooking a communal meal, ‘home’ is a building block for a better future, and something we must work hard to get and even harder not to lose.

“For me Tus Nua is being safe with the chance to start a new life, with the support that I need. I like it because you have your independence and at the same time you have a full team supporting you.” Tus Nua Resident Aged 23

“When I was in prison and a member of the staff at Tus Nua came over to visit me and asked me if I wanted to go to Tus Nua. Firstly I felt sceptical, because I didn’t know what the place was like, what went on there and what I would find. Once I arrived at Tus Nua I felt better. I realised that this place is right for me, but also that I need to take care of it. This is not the first time that I’ve come here, and I think it’s so important to take care of this resource, because it’s not just me who benefits from it. There are a lot of people working for us, and sometimes the struggle is difficult for me. But now I have the support of the team I wake up everyday ready to fight with all my troubles.” Tus Nua Resident Aged 28

>PARTNER PERSPECTIVE As a member of St. Vincent de Paul Conference I have been visiting the women in the Dochas Centre for many years. This has given me a very deep understanding of the women who find themselves in this sad situation, sometimes through an addiction to alcohol or drugs or being homeless. Whatever the reason many of them have lost favour with family or friends and society. Consequently, when they complete their sentence they have to make their way alone. This is a very lonely and difficult time for them and emphasizes the importance of being accepted and the need we all have of the security of a home. As people leave prison it is essential that they get the necessary support of friends and family or State to become independent, to have the security of a home and the support to build up their confidence and self-esteem.

Sr Breda Cagney Tus Nua Board of Management

TUS NUA ANNUAL REPORT 2011

HOME > COMMUNITY / RELATIONSHIPS / ACTIVITY “I find the activities really useful because you have something to do, and in this way you can stop thinking negative things about your life. At the same time I am learning new skills, everyday skills. When you’re in the prison everything is different, you don’t have to be worried about what you need today for cooking, managing a budget and those kind of things. Here I am following appointments, I have my cleaning tasks, do my laundry, cooking, do the shopping – all the things that you need to have a normal life. That’s the reason why I think that the activities that we do in Tus Nua are really useful for our future life. I really forgot about what is the meaning of taking care of yourself and how to deal with daily problems. As well I think all the residents have a good relationship. We have really good chats over coffee, and we speak about our lives and problems. I feel so comfortable and that’s why the activities are really good, in the way that there are times where all of us are together and we are building a home.”

Tus Nua Resident Aged 30

At Tus Nua we strongly believe in relationship and community. This is at the core of positive reintegration and establishing a good support network for the future. The activities at Tus Nua are a key aspect of social interaction. From music nights to communal meals, from beauty therapies to craft work, this added dimension to our work and the women’s home means that Tus Nua is more than a roof over your head—it is a place of learning, chatting and being together. And often as these activities happen and the women of Tus Nua take part, their own talents emerge or get re-ignited and surprise everyone, for example, amazing art, poetry, cookery, craft or song.

OPPORTUNITY > SUPPORT / REFLECT / CHANGE Tus Nua is in operation since February 2003 and is funded by the Probation Service. Tus Nua is a specialist residential service supporting women with complex support needs between the ages of 18 and 65 years leaving prison. We also work with women who have been referred from the Probation service in the community. Those referred have been identified as homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Tus Nua operates a low threshold service and promotes harm reduction principles, working to ensure a safe environment. We work with women with complex support needs who may require support with alcohol and drug relapse and addiction related issues. Tus Nua supports each service user in an individualised way developing support plans to address the needs of each service user referred. Those referred to Tus Nua must be motivated to participate fully in the programme of support and engage with their keyworker throughout their tenancy at Tus Nua. In the keyworking and support programme there is a focus on identifying goals, taking opportunities and fulfilling potential. One tool we use in this support work is the ‘Outcomes Star’ (see picture). This is an individual and personal reflective tool that emphasises a ‘Journey of Change’. It is holistic, structured, visual, individualised and enables those that use it to see where they are at and the changes they make when at Tus Nua. This tool and approach is part of the support offered at Tus Nua to give the women we work with all the support and opportunity we can to make their own journey of change from prison, through Tus Nua and to a fresh start.

“I liked the Star because it showed me where I was on the Star and where I needed support. You can see moving up and back down on the Star, and you can see how you have been coping. I’m not good at budgeting, and the star helped me see that.” Tus Nua Resident Age 28

TUS NUA ANNUAL REPORT 2011

OPPORTUNITY > HAVING A SAY / MOVING ON SUCCESSFULLY At Tus Nua we seek to involve the women who live here in as much of the running of the service as possible. We believe it is not optional, but vital that those women that Tus Nua exists for have an opportunity to comment on and shape what happens. The diagram below highlights some of how this looked in 2011.

SUP PLA PORT NN ING

AUDIT N PARTICIPATIO

’ ENTS RESID GS N I T MEE

SUR V

EYS

When someone moves to Tus Nua the focus is on both the physical and the personal journey. This begins with coming out of prison, but doesn’t end there. Tus Nua is a step along the way to moving on successfully. Change can be difficult, but at Tus Nua we work with the women to prepare and plan for moving on from the service in the best way possible. This means sourcing suitable accommodation—often a challenge—but also putting in place the supports that will continue with the women after they leave. This includes a 6-8 week follow up from Tus Nua staff to help smooth this transition. At times of change many people can return to old patterns of behaviour, but with support the chances of making a fresh start increase. Depaul’s interagency approach is key in ensuring as many opportunities for further support as possible are in place to make the move a success

ON S TI GE X G SU BO

PROCEDURE REVIEW

RESIDEN TS’ REVIEW DAY

S NT LAI P M CO

“If you needed anything there was always someone there… when I got the course 5 days a week and was doing all the meals and meetings I thought it was getting a bit too much. When I spoke to my keyworker about it she got the meals and meetings stopped.” Tus Nua ExEx-Resident Age 23

Thanks to all the project workers in Tús Nua I am now happily living independently in my apartment and I enjoy this life I have worked hard to get.” Tus Nua ExEx-Resident Age 48

CHOICE> PARTNERSHIP/ EMPOWERMENT / RESPONSIBILITY Throughout 2011 we have continued to work in partnership with the Probation Service Community Service Department. Individuals on community service orders are supervised by Probation to fulfil their community service orders at Tus Nua. This has been a very successful partnership approach both for those on community service and for Tus Nua, offering differing opportunities to people within the criminal justice system.

>PARTNER PERSPECTIVE Tus Nua offers an invaluable service to those facing the crisis of homelessness on release from custody. The past year has seen the continuation and growth of a partnership approach with Depaul Ireland, those residing in Tus Nua, Probation Service, Prison Service and other supportive services. Initially the women who are identified as possible referrals are met in the Dochas Centre by staff from Tus Nua for information sessions regarding the project. From the outset they are given the opportunity to make an informed choice with regards to furthering their referral to the project. Throughout the subsequent assessment and planning stages they are given the opportunity to express their views and level of motivation to engage with the project. In making the decision to participate in the project the client must take into consideration the conditions, if present, that are placed on them by the Courts and the Irish Prison Service regarding their sentence management and Temporary Release. The harm reduction principles incorporated in Tus Nua moves at the Client's own pace. Also the individualised support planning encourages independence and the integration of marginalised

women into the community. It serves to assist clients with a history of offending to make informed pro social choices about their future through the development of practical skills. The project successfully provides opportunities for clients to move on to semiindependent and independent living using the skills they have developed during their six month tenancy. Patricia Purcell Probation Officer Dochas Centre , Mountjoy Prison

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I developed so many skills while living there, basic things like filling forms and setting up accounts. They are basic to me now, but they were challenging when I first had to complete a formâ&#x20AC;? Tus Nua ExEx-Resident Age 48

TUS NUA ANNUAL REPORT 2011

CHOICE> BARRIERS / ADVOCACY / VOICE Women leaving prison face many barriers, not just the stigma, fear and isolation, but often barriers in knowing how to sort the basics— social welfare, housing options and medical care. The Tus Nua team focus not just on helping facilitate the journey from prison to reintegration into the community, but also on the basic day to day activities that we all need to get by. Big steps are made of many small ones.

>STAFF PERSPECTIVE Barriers— Barriers—The Basics The paper train of documents to be completed by new service users to Tús Nua can be overwhelming. Medical card applications, Birth Certificate applications, housing applications, ID applications, and disability applications et cetera. Each application requires supporting

documentation and processing times can take longer than a month or more; sometimes leaving women without access to medical care or a dentist. Other services such as psychiatric and mental health services also have pre requisites before access leaving some of our service users isolated and vulnerable. Advocacy Positive move-on options are available to our service users and housing needs are identified by the women and the team, and according to presenting needs service users are re-housed in private rented accommodation, supported housing and/or with family. The women are empowered in making choices for move-on and support with housing applications, rent allowance applications and references. Mary Whitney Cover Worker

>RESEARCH Between August 2011 and March 2012 I carried out a study entitled “Exploring Women Offender’s Experience of a Probation Funded Hostel Post Release from Custody”. The motivation for this study came from the consistent rise in the number of women offenders held in custody both internationally and in Ireland (Heddermann, 2011). This study looks to discover the women’s views on their time in Tus Nua. The aim was to seek out the women’s opinion about interventions from the Depaul staff and the Probation Service. It aimed to find out what the women believed worked for them during their time in Tus Nua. This study was limited by the small number of former residents that were available to partake in the research. For ethical reasons women who had returned to the Criminal Justice System or those that had been supervised by the Probation Officer were not included in the sample. The women described the provision of a range of services that went beyond somewhere to stay. They described the gender sensitive approach adopted by staff. Their relationship with their key worker was one built on partnership, trust, mutual respect and openness. The

women indicated that the therapeutic relationship with their key worker allowed them to build similar relationships with other staff and volunteers. The women greatly appreciated the practical help they had been given and the opportunity to change that had been provided. Overall the findings indicate that Tus Nua offers a gender sensitive approach combined with a holistic service. It should be identified as a model for good practice for the development of further women-only services. Importantly the women emphasised that the consistent and flexible approach of staff suited them in their attempts to change their behaviour. The importance of education and training, peer support, family involvement and practical help were other themes that arose from the semi-structured interviews. The study recommends that a step-down accommodation unit would also be of benefit to allow women, who have achieved change, to continue to avail of support. That the current outreach service to former tenants should be extended and developed to allow for a more flexible model.

Áine Morris Probation Officer Dochas Centre, Mountjoy Prison

COMPARISON STATISTICS 2003â&#x20AC;&#x201D;2011 Year

No. of Service Users

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Total

16 12 26 21 22 + 1 repeat service user 18 + 2 repeat service user 17 + 1 repeat service user 14 + 1 repeat service user 20 + 1 repeat service user 166

Occupancy levels %

46% 59% 60% 76% 72% 84% 90% 95% 85 %

Resettlement

Unable to Sustain Residence

0 3 3 2 6 6 4 4 7 35

12 7 17 10 8 4 4 1 7 70

Priority Support Needs Presented These figures represent the number of women experiencing these needs some women may present with more than one of these needs. Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Total

Alcohol use

Drug use

6 10 11 5 3 8 5 5 5 58

(suspected)

Mental Health Issues

Challenging Behaviour

12 14 17 13 12 11 12 12 17 120

3 5 11 4 5 15 12 14 18 87

8 8 10 2 4 11 10 12 6 71

Tenancy duration 2011* Under 9 days Between 9- 31 days 31- 90 days (1-3 months) 90 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 150 days (3-5 months) 5 months plus

0 2 6 4 8

2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 0 2 4 1 7

0 1 7 6 4

0 3 4 5 7

2 2 9 5 5

4 3 2 2 5

4 8 10 1 3

0 2 4 4 4

*At the 2011 year end 5 residents continued over to 2012 their tenancy duration statistics are included and calculated from when they moved in until the 2011 year end.

3 9 5 3 0

TUS NUA ANNUAL REPORT 2011

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Occupancy In 2011 the occupancy was 85% a reduction of 10% based on 2010 occupancy levels. This is lower than the 2 previous years but remains historically high based on a longer view of occupancy. The reason for the reduction in occupancy can be explained by firstly a stricter application of Temporary Release conditions where we saw an increased number of women returned to the Dochas Centre for breaches, and also a higher level of presenting needs with the women accessing the service as we continue to lower our threshold to ensure access for those who need it most. Number of women residing in Tus Nua 20 women resided in Tus Nua in 2011 with one woman returning during the year. In total since Tus Nua opened in 2003, 166 women have been accommodated at Tus Nua. 7 women were unable to sustain their accommodation in 2011 and again this is indicative of the presenting needs outlined above with women breaching Temporary Release or abandoning. The jump in the number of women with drug use and mental health as presenting needs is indicative of this trend. However we remain open to re-referrals in the future of these women from the community through The Probation Service. Resettlement 7 women were successfully resettled in 2011. The tenancy in Tus Nua until 2010 had been previously for up to 12 months, however in 2011 this changed to 6 months for all new referrals. However the average length of stay remained longer, at 7.5 months, reflecting a need for specific accommodation for women with complex needs. Positive move-on options that meet women where their level of need is at is also a challenge and is a big barrier to achieving successful move on. Service User Death It is important to note that during 2011 one woman who resided at Tus Nua passed away. This was a tragic incident in Tus Nua and we offer our sympathies again to her family and thank all the staff and residents for their sensitivity and work during that time.

DIVERSION AND THE IMPRISONMENT OF WOMEN IN IRELAND The impact of imprisonment on women and their children and families is extensive. It is important that the difficulties associated with imprisonment for women are highlighted by those who advocate for marginalised women and the women themselves. Women make up a much smaller number of those appearing before the courts on criminal charges and of those who are imprisoned in Ireland. In many cases women who are imprisoned have multiple and complex needs and require support services to address issues such as; mental health, social isolation, exploitation, substance misuse and learning difficulties. Prison is not the appropriate environment to address these issues and imprisoning women with needs that cannot be addressed by imprisonment has economic and social costs to Irish society. Many women imprisoned in Ireland spend less than 1 year in prison. The cost and impact of imprisonment is immense, impacting on family and relationships, housing as well as future integration within society. Currently there are no open prisons for women in Ireland and fewer alternatives to imprisonment based in the community. An emphasis on social care provision and support coupled with increased health support is required in the community, to address the challenges faced by women from the onset, as opposed to retrospectively or not at all. Consideration should be given for support services aimed at women, in particular increased local learning and education services for women to address the causes of their offending as well as maintaining their home and family ties. Localised health and addiction support services are also required. Many female offences stem from drug and addiction related acts; therefore addressing

the root cause of this is necessary and the underlying causes for addiction among women. An increase in community orders developed specifically for women should be further considered so that successful completion can be attained. Investment in alternatives to imprisonment would go some way to addressing recidivism and intergenerational crime. When the impact of imprisonment and the possible alternatives are considered for women as well as the economic cost and the personal and emotional cost to the women imprisoned, it is remarkable that more alternative sentencing options are not explored for women. In Ireland there is considerable potential for more diversionary approaches for women faced with criminal charges, offering more cost effective and successful solutions. With the overcrowding in Irish prisons and the increased numbers of women sentenced to imprisonment diversion from prison will work towards improvement of prison conditions for women in Irish prisons.

Christine Littlefield Senior Services Manager ROI Depaul Ireland

TUS NUA ANNUAL REPORT 2011

CLOSING COMMENT The economic, social and personal cost of imprisonment is considerable. For women the cost can be immeasurable, particularly in the impact it can have on dependent children and families. Depaul Ireland subscribe to an approach which underlines the need to use imprisonment for women as a last resort. Considering that the vast majority of women who are imprisoned pose a lesser risk due to the nature of their offences we subscribe to an approach which optimises alternatives to custody as part of the Irish criminal justice system. Tus Nuaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work underlines the success of this approach. Supported accommodation frameworks which focus on integration into community using vocational life skill and personal development can play an important role as an alternative to custody. Tus Nua as a service model provides a reassurance and security not only for the women themselves but also for the wider community as supervision and avoiding re offending is a central part of the serviceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s approach. However supported accommodation initiatives cannot be seen in isolation and requires being a part of a integrated multi agency approach utilising drug and alcohol services, peer mentoring, vocational development and a host of other community resources. Therefore Tus Nua in the next phase of its work will place an even greater emphasis on ensuring that we remain relevant in the context of an overall community based criminal justice system by supporting women after they leave us and by forging stronger links with our partners. In the next year Depaul are committed even in this harsh financial environment to continue to examine ways in which it can develop the service and use our learning to inform the wider development of the criminal justice system in Ireland. We acknowledge that we cannot stand still and must remain relevant in these turbulent times. By choosing to live in Tus Nua women take a huge step towards avoiding the mistakes that they have made in the past.

However this is not an easy step and choosing to approach your life in a radically different way is brave and requires strength. Depaul Ireland continues to be immensely proud of the support we provide women in to take this leap in partnership with so many but particularly the Dochas Unit the Probation Service and the Society of Saint Vincent De Paul.

David Carroll Director of Services Depaul Ireland

THANKS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS A large part of the success of Tus Nua is down to the great support given to the service and the excellent partnership relationships that have built up around the women who live here. The partnership and relationship with the Probation Service is invaluable as is the ongoing support of Governor Mary Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor of the Dochas Centre. The same can be said of the prison staff, as well as the consistent partnership we have with the Dochas Centre Probation Team. Thanks is also due to the myriad agencies and individuals we work with every day in carrying out excellent work on the behalf of the women who reside in Tus Nua. Furthermore, thanks go to the SVP and the management committee at Tus Nua, the team of full time staff and relief staff, the part time and full time volunteers, our student placements, and Depaul Ireland departments for the constant support and hard work. And finally, a big thank you to the women at Tus Nua, whose voice and experience hopefully come through strongly in this report and without whom none of this would be possible.

If you are interested in learning more about Tus Nua, the work of Depaul Ireland or would like more copies of this Annual Report, please contact: Depaul Ireland Services Department 18 Nicholas Street, Dublin 8. Dublin Head Office 00353 (0) 1 453 7111 / T 00353 (0) 1 453 7551 / F

Belfast Office 0044 (0) 28 9064 7755 / T 0044 (0) 28 9064 7766 / F

depaul@depaulireland.org / E www.depaulireland.org / W