NACRO

Nacro is a social justice charity. It helps vulnerable people to change their lives and to reach their full potential by addressing social exclusion, inequality of opportunity and deprivation. We design and deliver services that equip people with the skills, advice, attitude and support they need to move their lives on and to become part of their community. Our services cover education, housing, substance misuse treatment and the prevention of reoffending.

Case study

Jon was referred to Nacro as a high risk offender by the Integrated Offender Management (IOM) team. He had an Antisocial Behaviour Order (ASBO) for supplying substances in his local estate at the age of 17 and had also served a custodial sentence for dealing. His mother and father were living in separate areas, neither of which was suitable for Jon to return to due to his previous involvement with gangs. He had been assaulted numerous times while trying to go to his mother’s address to sleep at night. During the referral process Jon was returned to custody for breaching his ASBO because he had returned to his local area. He stated he had nowhere to return to other than the streets he knew.

When Jon came to Nacro he was due to attend court for charges of assault and theft. He had previously been sanctioned by Jobcentre Plus and as a result had stolen food from Iceland and had then resisted arrest. The court probation officer asked Jon why anyone should believe he had changed given his offending history. He stated with confidence that the difference was that he had Nacro to support him and pointed at his Nacro support worker who was sitting at the back of the court.

Since being housed with Nacro Jon has completed his community sentence, enrolled in college and turned his back on all gang association. If he hadn’t been referred to and received support from Nacro then he would not have achieved this. Although attending college, paying rent, and staying out of trouble for over a year is normal for many individuals, it is a huge achievement for someone who has faced the issues Jon has faced. He often says “without Nacro I would be on the roads right now”.