Aimed at supporting women as they transition from the criminal justice system back into their communities, the Breaking the Cycle: Restorative Pathways for Women, represents a growing recognition that community-based, trauma-informed approaches can be more effective than traditional criminal justice responses, particularly for women who often enter the system having experienced significant personal trauma.
Helping Women Rebuild Their Lives After Prison
The project recognises that many women face complex challenges following release, including securing stable housing, addressing mental health needs, rebuilding family relationships, and navigating available support systems. Rather than facing these hurdles alone, the programme offers these women comprehensive, wraparound support designed to help them build stable, positive futures.
Mercedes Hunt, Project Coordinator for CRJI Newry/Armagh, highlighted the programme's philosophy:
"We know prison doesn't work for most women. Locking someone away, often someone who has experienced significant trauma, doesn't address the root causes of their situation. What does work is community-based, restorative support that focuses on healing, empowerment, and long-term reintegration. That's exactly what this project is designed to provide."
By prioritising prevention, connection, and empowerment, the trained staff and practitioners at CRJI Newry/Armagh aim to create lasting benefits for participating women, their families and the broader community.
Dual Support Model
The project's restorative approach emphasises healing relationships, rebuilding trust, and supporting accountability within a non-judgmental and empowering framework.
Working with women three months before their release, the CRJI Newry/Armagh team provide restorative preparation sessions and motivational interviewing to help them identify personal goals, strengths, and challenges. After their release, ongoing one-to-one support is provided from a dedicated caseworker and a peer mentor who brings their lived experience to the role. This dual support model ensures continuity of care while providing both professional guidance and peer understanding. Participants also gain access to a broader network of holistic services through CRJI and local partner organisations.
Funding their Future Impact
Taking advantage of their NICVA membership meant that Mercedes Hunt and her team attended our annual Funding Fayre and booked a free one-hour clinic with Jocelyn Horton, Fundraising Advice Officer.
Following the clinic in April 2025 and armed with their bespoke recommendations report, a range of advice guides and list of funders, Mercedes and her team including Trustees created a fundraising subcommittee. By meeting regularly and working collaboratively, the subcommittee has developed a short- to medium-term fundraising plan, a corresponding fundraising pipeline, and cases for support to underpin their fundraising efforts.
Three months later, Mercedes contacted us to say
“I’m writing to share some wonderful news and to sincerely thank you for your support and guidance around funding opportunities.
CRJI Newry/Armagh has been awarded funding for a three-year restorative justice project focused on supporting women transitioning out of the criminal justice system.
Your advice was instrumental — it helped us develop a strong pipeline and ultimately led us to apply to the NI Thriving Futures Fund. We’re thrilled to share that just last week, we learned our application was successful!
Thank you again for your encouragement and insight. We’re excited for the work ahead and deeply appreciate your role in helping us get here.”
The CRJI Newry/Armagh subcommittee continue their hard work and are pleased to report they are in final discussions to receive more funding to support the future of their community-based intervention programmes.
To find out more about the Breaking the Cycle: Restorative Pathways for Women, the Digging Deeper project, the Safer Stronger Communities, training options and more, follow them on Facebook.
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