Inside Probation is a new two-part documentary series examining the day-to-day work of Ireland’s probation officers
In a new landmark documentary series, Inside Probation brings unprecedented access to the frontline of our criminal justice system. For the first time on Irish television, this two-part documentary series portrays the day-to-day work of probation officers across Ireland, monitoring and rehabilitating a range of cases, from people with minor offences, to dangerous criminals and high-risk sex offenders.
This is the story of the staff of The Probation Service, a service that works with some of society’s most chaotic, damaged and dangerous people. However, this documentary reveals that their client base represents all levels of society, young and old, many of who are entirely unknown as criminals to the general public.
Every day 10,000 people on Probation, often for serious crimes, are free to walk our streets in an attempt to keep them from entering or re-entering the overcrowded prison system. What are the benefits and what are the risks? Probation Officers are the last line of defense in ensuring that these people do not present a danger to the public – or to themselves.
In this series the cases are both shocking and heartbreaking; we see our Officers deal with cases involving violence, domestic abuse, theft and drug related crime against an increasing gangland landscape, as well as the ongoing and continuous risk assessment of sex offenders. Working a model of ‘care and control’ it has a dual responsibility to both client and the public. They have the ultimate power to return a client to court, which can see them return to jail.
We see the officers pushed to the limit in their bid the keep our streets safe. Yet these offenders aren’t behind bars; they’re living free among us, a permanent part of our society. So how are they controlled, how are they helped, and how are we kept safe?
Probation was directed by Judy Kelly (Legal Eagles (RTÉ), The Sheriff and Me (RTÉ), Prime Time Investigates (RTÉ), From Here To Maternity (RTÉ), Nightshift (RTÉ), ‘John Lonergan’s Circus’ (RTÉ)).
The series was produced by Pamela Drynan (Surgeons (RTÉ), Who Stole the World Cup? (CH4),Teacher Teacher (BBC1), Gutted (BBC1), Chancers (BBC1))
Midas Productions is one of Ireland’s largest production companies with over one hundred productions for Irish television to date. Previously broadcast documentary titles include Women on the Inside, Life on the Inside, Home from Home, Our Island, The Park, It’s Not the Taking Part, A Fighting Heart, Ladies and Gentlemen Gavin Friday, Patrick McCabe: Blood Relation, Fintan O’Toole: Power Plays.
For any press enquiries please contact Lucia Gavin on 01-6611384 or lucia@midasproductions.ie