Celebrating 10 Years of the Traveller Justice Initiative

The Traveller Justice Initiative (TJI) was established by St Stephen’s Green Trust SSGT in 2014 following the publication of the Irish Penal Reform Trust’s (IPRT) research ‘Travellers in the Irish Prison System: A qualitative study’. From the outset, TJI’s overall aim is to embed changes in policy and practice that have a positive influence on Travellers in prison, their families and communities while ensuring that Travellers and those most affected by the justice system were at the centre of the response.

SSGT provided not only the space, resources, and stability needed for such an initiative to take root but also adopted a bold and contemporary funding approach. Departing from traditional funding models, SSGT embraced the idea that funders should act as catalysts for change, and that philanthropic giving should be willing to take risks to bring about this change. Crucially, the SSGT allowed the time required to approach the issue with care and intentionality, recognising that rushing the process could deepen existing harm to the Traveller community.

This considered pace was vital, given the many barriers Travellers face in the criminal justice system—poverty, trauma, lack of mental health and addiction supports, as well as institutional racism. The flexible funding provided by SSGT allowed TJI to implement innovative initiatives. Examples include the initial pilot of Traveller liaison teachers in Dublin prisons, which was later evaluated and expanded to all prisons, collaboration with the Traveller Mediation Service to introduce peer-mediation programmes. SSGT also funded Traveller organisiations in facilitating peer-support groups within prisons and advancing advocacy efforts for sustainable, mainstream funding. TJI, in partnership with Pavee Point, played a key role in assisting the Irish Prison and Probation Service with ethnic equality monitoring. SSGT also facilitated TJI to support key Traveller-led organisations such as Galway Traveller Movement, the National Traveller Women's Forum (NTWF), and National Traveller MABS, in developing and disseminating vital resources and guides, which advance good practice in the areas of peer and family support and community work.

Central to this work was SSGT and TJIs commitment to co-design and participation, which fostered meaningful partnership, collaboration and dialogue between policy-makers, decision-makers, and members of the Traveller community. These conversations were grounded in lived experiences, particularly that of Travellers directly affected by the criminal justice system.

SSGT’s role in co-designing and funding these supports was instrumental in maximising strategic social impact. Anna Lee, Chairperson of SSGT, underscored the importance of time and risk-taking in driving social change. She emphasised the value of independent funding, advocating for an approach that prioritises flexibility, responsiveness, and active listening—over rigid performance metrics.

Since 2024, TJI has been fully funded by the Irish Prison Service and the Probation Service. As the initiative transitions from SSGT’s support and continues its mission of advocacy and systemic reform, it is essential to recognise the crucial role that bold, independent philanthropy played in its success. As stated in Stories of Change: 10 Years of the Traveller Justice Initiative (2025):

“Having an independent source of funding to undertake the work was important. You need to have spaces outside of the state and the mainstream to bring about change. This is how philanthropy can add value, and the SSGT was well placed to bring it about.”

Anne Costello stated that the TJI’s approach is rooted not in quick fixes, but in building long-term relationships and placing the Traveller community at the centre—not merely as recipients of support, but as leaders, educators, decision-makers, and experts. She concluded that ‘Independent funding from SSGT has been crucial. It gave us the freedom to operate beyond the limitations of state structures, allowing us to test and scale innovative approaches prior to their mainstreaming’.