Peer-to-peer programme supports people in prison who may be feeling distress or despair or feeling suicidal
The Irish Prison Service (IPS) and Samaritans have celebrated the 20th Anniversary of the Listener scheme.
The Listener scheme is a peer support programme which sees prisoners trained to give emotional support to other prisoners. It is delivered by Samaritans volunteers and supported by the IPS.
The anniversary was celebrated during Mental Health Awareness Month in the Midlands Prison, Portlaoise, where 22 Listeners were awarded certificates by Niall Collins TD, Minister of State for Skills and Further Education.
Speaking at the event, Minister Collins acknowledged the importance of the Samaritans’ Listeners scheme across the prison estate and the contribution of the prison Listeners.
Great credit is due to the Samaritans organisation, its branches and volunteers, and to the Irish Prison Service and the individual Listeners, who have driven such tremendous growth in the Listener Service over the last decade,” he said. “The operation of a Listeners’ scheme is primarily aimed at providing emotional support for vulnerable prisoners, it is also an important vehicle for assisting in the development of skills, knowledge and self-awareness for those participating.
Niall Collins TD, Minister of State for Skills and Further Education.
Samaritans' Listener scheme marks 20 years in Irish prisons
The IPS works in co-operation with Samaritans, who provide confidential emotional support to those people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide.
Samaritans volunteers had been visiting prisons across Ireland on a weekly basis to support prisoners since the early 1990s and in 2002 the charity began training prisoners in Cloverhill Prison, Dublin, where the first Listener scheme began.
The programme is now operational in every prison in Ireland, with 15 Listener schemes in 13 prisons supported by over 80 volunteers from Samaritans branches. There are currently just over 100 inmates in the prison system trained as Listeners, providing 24-hour support on a rota.
Samaritans support prisoners through various means including the peer support Listener schemes, through face-to-face support by volunteers from Samaritans branches, and with access to Samaritans helpline by telephone.
Samaritans volunteer Cindy O’Shea, Regional Prison Support Officer for Samaritans Ireland, said the scheme is a vital safety net for prisoners at risk.
Listeners provide the time and space that is necessary for those prisoners to express their feelings, especially those feelings that might lead to suicide. Prisoners can talk to a Listener without fear of criticism or judgement."
Cindy O’Shea, Regional Prison Support Officer, Samaritans Ireland
Mark Kennedy, Assistant Director at Samaritans Ireland, paid tribute to the Listeners, Samaritans volunteers and prison staff for their service and support to the scheme.
“Listeners, prison staff, and Samaritans volunteers have come together to make this a reality and continue to make confidential emotional support a normal part of everyday prison life. Such co-operation across all people associated with the prison service must be recognised and applauded.”
Mark Kennedy, Assistant Director, Samaritans Ireland,
Samaritans & Irish Prison Service mark 20 years of the Listener scheme
NOTE TO EDITORS
- Samaritans has been working with the Irish Prison Service for 20 years to reduce suicide and self-harm in prisons.
- Samaritans work to support prisoners through peer support Listener Schemes, face-to-face support by volunteers from Samaritans branches, and through prisoner access to Samaritans service by telephone.
- The Listener scheme is a peer support service which aims to reduce suicide and self-harm in prisons. Prisoners are trained by Samaritans volunteers and are available 24 hours a day, on a rota, to listen and support a peer in need.
- The Listener scheme started in Cloverhill Prison in 2002 and is now available in all 13 prisons across Ireland. More than 100 Listeners and over 80 Samaritans volunteers support the scheme.
- Providing safe and secure custody, dignity of care and rehabilitation to prisoners for safer communities” is the mission of the Irish Prison Service. This can only be achieved by effective partnership working with other statutory, non-statutory and voluntary organisations.
- People in prison are considered a high-risk group; they are more likely to die by suicide than the general population. This increased risk is generally accepted to be due to a combination of imported risk and environmental stressors within prison.
- Anyone can contact Samaritans FREE any time from any phone on 116 123, even a mobile without credit. Or you can email [email protected] or visit www.samaritans.org for more information.