The Linkage Programme

Linkage Annual Report 2007/2008
Click here to access an eco-friendly version of the full report
Click here to download full report

You can also click here to view the following Status Reports:
- Detailed Programme Status Report
- Detailed Reasons Clients Discontinued Report
- Detailed Prison Client Activity Report

Click here to listen to Paddy Richardson, Linkage Programme Manager, speak about the programme and the benefits for former offenders and for businesses who get involved, as well as why employers should hire former offenders.

Click here to listen to Simon Baker, Linkage client; Ray O'Halloran, Director, Speedline Engineering and Linkage employer; and Paddy Richardson, Linkage Programme Manager speak with Matt Cooper on TodayFM's Last Word.



Overview
In 2000, The Linkage Programme was initially set up as a pilot scheme and was funded by the Probation Service under the National Development Plan. The aim was to prepare, plan, and implement Training and/or Employment placement for offenders referred to the programme by the Probation Service. In September 2000 The Linkage Programme became a joint project between Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI) and the Probation Service with support from IBEC, the Small Firms Association and ICTU.

Key to the ethos of the programme is the client. Research had clearly established that the vast majority of offenders come from the most marginalised, excluded and under resourced communities in society. The Linkage Programme's clients are likely to have been subjected to unemployment, alcohol and drug abuse, loneliness, homelessness, family breakdown or stigmatisation because of public attitudes to offenders. Therefore providing an innovative training and employment programme is vital for helping ex-offenders find a new direction.
During the past six years, over 5,000 ex-offenders have been referred to The Linkage Programme by the Probation Service. Of those referrals almost 70% actively engaged with the programme resulting in 70% of the clients being placed in training, employment or education.


The Probation Service
A critical factor in the success of The Linkage Programme is the strategic partnership between the Probation Service and BITCI. The Probation Service, under the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform is the lead agency in the assessment and management of offenders in our communities.

Our Staff
Since 2000, the programme has grown from three to over 20 Training & Employment Officers (TEOs) based around the country, with a full time Manager, an Administration Co-ordinator and a part-time Administrative Assistant / IT Support. The ultimate objective of the TEO is to assist the client's integration or re-integration into the working community.

Please click here for a contact list of Training & Employment Officers around Ireland.

Employers
The ultimate objective of the Linkage Programme is to get people working. Critical to the success of the project is matching the people to the job market. Training and Employment Officers are employed by BITCI to support the Probation Service by placing offenders in employment, training and/or education. To date, there has been an enthusiastic response to the programme. Of course, it is only natural for employers to have some questions about the programme.

Please click here to read our responses to frequently asked questions from employers.

Employers can also click here to download a fact sheet on all our employment programmes including Linkage.

If you are an employer and would like to discuss our employment programmes, please contact Moira Horgan, Marketing Manager on mhorgan@bitc.ie or 01 874 7232.

For further information on The Linkage Programme, please contact 01 874 7232 or linkage@bitc.ie