Supporters - Change the Record - Nacro, the crime reduction charity

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Change the Record
Supporters

Ordinary people, employers, organisations and politicians are joining our campaign every day. Here are some of our supporters.

'After 36 years, the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 is in need of reform because its limitations make it out of date and ineffective. The rehabilitation periods are also too onerous. So amendments to the Act are overdue.'

Jonathan Aitken, former Conservative cabinet minister and ex-offender

'You’ve got to sign up to Change the Record because it really does help prisoners settle back into the community and they’re doing a fantastic job. Respect!'

Levi Roots, Dragons' Den slayer, Reggae Reggae sauce star and ex-offender

'Change the Record is an important campaign. Reformed offenders deserve a chance to put their past behind them and be given a fair chance of finding work. In these difficult times, it’s all too easy to neglect people’s need to work. Ex-offenders have been discriminated against in the workplace for too long and the TUC is proud to support a campaign to put this right.'

Sarah Veale CBE, Head, Equality and Employment Rights Department, TUC

'Nacro's 'Change the Record' campaign highlights the barriers that are making it harder for ex-offenders, including those whose convictions are spent, to enter the labour market.

'We need to make sure that those who are given a prison sentence get the support they need to reform and become productive members of society on their release.

'I'm supporting Nacro's work by adding my signature to a parliamentary motion, EDM 740.'

Simon Wright, Liberal Democrat MP for Norwich South

Celebrities
Individuals
Organisations
Politicians

Celebrities

I am so pleased to be able to support such a worthy cause that strives to dispel all prejudices, and truly makes a huge difference to the lives of individuals.

Hayley Taylor, star of Channel 4 show The Fairy Jobmother

Individuals

I have just watched Vicky’s story and agree that people shouldn’t always be judged on their past. We all make mistakes. People like Vicky should be given encouragement - she has done really well and I hope she continues to do so.

L Hills

Both employer and offender attitudes to past offences present huge challenges. Employers are afraid and imagine the worst case scenario. Many of those who have offended avoid applying for work so that they do not have to disclose.

D Patterson, Offender Mentor

Those who have paid their debt to society and are motivated to make a better life for themselves should be given every opportunity and encouragement to succeed without prejudice.

R Guarisco

Organisations

Evidence shows that employers find that reformed offenders can be loyal and valued employees. Rather than adopting blanket exclusion policies to keep them out of the workplace if they are job-ready and suitable it makes sense for employers to give them a fair chance based on their personal talent and skills. That’s why we support Nacro’s Change the Record campaign.

Dianah Worman, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development

Business in the Community is fully supportive of the Change the Record campaign. Our member companies recognise the need to support people with barriers to work including those with convictions. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act needs to be revisited and reformed in order to help the people who want to work and the employers who seek to employ them.

Stephen Howard, Chief Executive, Business in the Community

We all want to see fewer victims of crime. However, putting up barriers preventing ex-offenders getting employment only helps fuel this destructive and depressing cycle. We can evidence that a package of accommodation, support and employment can break this cycle. We support this excellent campaign which gives people a chance to change.'

Rob Owen, Chief Executive, St Giles Trust

If the paid sentence is not directly related to the vacancy being applied for, I cannot understand why en expired record has to be disclosed. Social Firms UK supports the Change the Record campaign.

Sara McGinley, Social Firms UK

Employment is a crucial factor in reducing reoffending, yet many former offenders are unnecessarily prevented from gaining work and making a valuable contribution to society by outdated legislation on criminal records. The Criminal Justice Alliance strongly supports Nacro’s brilliant campaign, which seeks to replace these damaging laws with a new approach that will protect the public while providing ex-offenders with the opportunities that they deserve.

Jon Collins, Campaign Director, Criminal Justice Alliance

Giving reformed offenders the right to employment works in the interests of everyone in society. This is because if offenders are denied the right to work, they come under greater pressure to offend. Preventing reformed offenders from obtaining work thereby leads to more, not fewer, victims of crime being created.

Dr Peter Dunn, The Griffins Society

Women’s attempts to move forward and address the root causes of their offending are hampered by stigma, employer attitudes and the length of time it takes for convictions to become spent, that’s why we are supporting this campaign.

Laurel Townhead, Women in Prison

Well done to Nacro for this campaign - innovative and important - more of the same please!

Serena O'Sullivan, End Water Poverty

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