Established in 1966, Nacro was formed from the National Association of Discharged Prisoners’ Aid Societies. We quickly became the largest criminal justice-related charity in England and Wales. In the 1970s we became involved in policy discussions with the British Government, particularly with the Home Office, which had responsibility for prisons and probation services. Since 2011, our strategy has focused on extending our high-level influence at government level, with commissioners, policy makers and practitioners, and increasing our partnership work.
Our history
For over 55 years we have focused our efforts on change, supporting individuals, building stronger communities, and reducing crime. We support vulnerable individuals into society, offering housing, education, substance misuse recovery and advice for those with criminal records.
1980-1989
In 1980, we provided work for more than 800 16-18 year olds on work experience schemes. In 1986 Nacro established the Black Initiatives Unit to work with Black and minority ethnic communities. By 1988 Nacro had employed 2,353 people, many on government-funded Community Programme schemes for the long-term unemployed. Our Drug Misuse Prevention Unit was set up in 1989 and worked with local communities to develop strategies to help drug users.
1990-1999
In 1991, we launched Nacro’s Mental Health Unit to improve responses to mentally disordered offenders. 1992 saw Nacro’s 42 New Careers training centres support 4,940 unemployed adults, and 1,180 disadvantaged young adults. We were awarded the highest grade in a Training Standards Council assessment for its foundation training in 1999.
2000-2009
2000 saw Nacro open its first Football Foundation-funded projects. More than 1,000 young people attended our school exclusion and outreach projects. We also opened Marion Parker House, a new project in Manchester specifically for female tenants with drug problems. In 2004, Nacro won the Diversity Fellowship Award in recognition of its work to improve equality and diversity in its own services and within the criminal justice system.
By 2006, Nacro had 200 projects and Nacro’s 1,400 staff and 1,100 volunteers had worked with more than 81,000 people. In excess of 17,000 young people were involved in positive activities to prevent them offending. Some 12,500 young people and adults were put on the path to employment through Nacro education and training projects. Nearly 3,400 people were provided with housing and over 5,000 got help through community and family projects.
In 2008, we collated the first national directory of Liaison & Diversion (L&D) schemes for the Home Office and the Department of Health. L&D services refer offenders identified in police stations and courts who have mental health needs, learning disabilities, substance misuse issues or other vulnerabilities to an appropriate treatment or support service.
2010-2019
In 2010 we launched our first campaign, the ‘Change the Record Campaign’.
This campaign called on the Government to reform the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and Criminal Records Bureau checks. Also, Nacro’s education services adapted to the changing landscape of education delivering Entry to Employment (E2E), Foundation Learning and study programmes. In 2014 we were awarded the Investors in People (IiP) Bronze Standard. In the same year we launched the Community Voice Council for all Nacro service users including its learners. Totton College, a further education college in Hampshire, joined Nacro’s education services in 2015.