Working Groups

ACJRD has re-established the Working Group structure as part of our Strategic Plan 2026-2030. The Working Groups (WG) serve as a collaborative hub for ACJRD. The goal is to provide a platform for learning and discussion for academic research, frontline practice, and criminal justice agencies which contributes to evidence-informed approaches that lead to better understanding and outcomes in each thematic area. They are open to ACJRD members. and the the first Working Group is on Social & Health Led responses to Crime Prevention.

The first Working Group to be established is on Social & Health Led responses to Crime Prevention and the Convenor is Dr Katharina Swirak of UCC. The first meeting takes place on Wed 16th Sept 2026 at 1pm via zoom. You are welcome to apply to join the Working Group through the Expression of Interest form here.

Social & Health Led responses to Crime Prevention:

• The focus is evidence-informed, multidisciplinary responses to crime prevention which focus on poverty, inequality, mental health, and addiction.
• How to shift the focus from reactive enforcement to proactive social and health-informed strategies. 
• Explore how multi agency collaboration between justice, health and social services lead to better outcomes for individuals.
• Consider current and potential diversionary initiatives in this and other jurisdictions which may contribute to innovation in relevant agencies.
• Identify protective factors that build community resilience against crime, such as supporting improved local services and social capital. 
• Consider strategies for effective public discourse that leverages empirical evidence, emotional resonance, and strategic framing to transition from punitive mindsets toward a progressive consensus. The objective is to facilitate a more open environment for evidence-informed responses to crime prevention.

We plan to add more Working Groups over the next period, with Technology as the theme for the second one. 

Below are links to previous Working Groups that are no longer in operation. The event papers may be of interest, the most recent is from 2019.