A Study Of The Number, Profile And Progression Routes Of Homeless Persons Before The Court And In Custody (2005)
In December 2002, the Probation and Welfare Service commissioned the Centre for Social and Educational Research at the Dublin Institute of Technology to undertake research on the number, profile and progression routes of homeless individuals appearing before the courts and in custody in the Dublin Metropolitan area. Although the relationship between crime and homelessness has received significant attention in the international literature (Carlen, 1996; McCarthy & Hagan, 1992), it is an area that has received little formal attention in the Irish context. The study had the following aim:
- To obtain accurate information about the numbers and the profile of homeless persons appearing before the courts and in custody in the Dublin Metropolitan area.
- To track and determine how homeless persons progress through the court and prison systems, with particular reference to any involvement by the Probation and Welfare Service.
- The overall objective is to generate path-finding information relevant to Probation and Welfare Service policy formulation, service development, planning and deployment of resources.
- To suggest new responses to proof state institutions and services against contributing to the problem of homelessness, marginalisation and disadvantage.