Nacro comments

This week the Government released its Prison’s Strategy White Paper. The 81-page document outlines the Government’s plans and ambitions for the prison system over the next ten years. There are some real positives to be seen in the strategy, movement on issues we have been campaigning on for years. There is hope to be found…

COVID-DEATHS New data released today’s shows: A 34% increase in deaths amongst people coming out of prison and on probation in the past year A 40% increase in deaths inside prison in the past year Many of these deaths can be attributed to Covid. However the general population has seen an significantly lower increased death rate of 14.5% Our Director of…

Our Director of External Engagement, Helen Berresford, said: “Yesterday’s #SpendingReview justice announcements included: £3.4 billion to build more prisons Make permanent previous additional £155 million per year for probation £200 million per year by 2024/25 to increase prison leavers’ access to housing, jobs & treatment support £75 million a year by 2024-25 to expand the use…

In response to the 2021 Spending Review, our Director of Education & Skills, Lisa Capper MBE, said: “Today’s funding package for post-16 education and skills is a welcome start, but only makes up a fraction of the underfunding of the further education system over the last decade. Instead, we need an improved funding package that…

Government data released today shows a shocking rise in homelessness among those leaving prison. The number of people homeless or threatened by homelessness on departure from custody has increased by 62% compared to last year. This amounts to 5,610 households per year. Campbell Robb, Chief Executive, Nacro said: “These figures show an urgent need for the government…

Today, the Government released statistics which show that during the past year 7,554 people came out of prison into homelessness. This is a 38% reduction from 12,090 the previous year. This, in part, will have been impacted by the Government’s COVID-19 Emergency Accommodation Scheme in May 2020. Comparing the last months before Covid with the…

It’s crunch time for the levelling-up agenda Yesterday, the Social Mobility Commission (SMC) released their ‘State of the Nation’ report putting disadvantaged young people at the centre of the recovery plan. Nacro is pleased to see the commission continue to support the call for an extension to the pupil premium for 16-19 year olds, digital…

Today, the Department for Education announced a “shake up” to the post-16 education system. They plan to defund a number of Level 3 qualifications and prioritise Apprenticeships, A Levels and T Levels as the key progression options after GCSEs. Lisa Capper MBE, Director of Skills and Education at Nacro, said: “Whilst Nacro is a supporter…

The investment of an initial £195 million has been awarded to 26 organisations across England and Wales to provide vital support services that help reduce reoffending, such as employment and housing advice. Nacro have been contracted to deliver accommodation in East Midlands, West Midlands and Wales, and support services (mental health, family and relationships) in…

Campbell Robb, Chief Executive of Nacro, a social justice charity which supports people coming out of prison and has campaigned for an increase in the discharge grant, said: “Today at a Nacro event, the Secretary of State for Justice, Robert Buckland, confirmed that the amount of money given to people leaving prison is to be…

In response to the 2021 Queen’s Speech, Nacro Chief Executive, Campbell Robb, commented: “We are pleased to see a focus on lifetime skills development in the Queen’s Speech today, which highlights the Government’s priorities for level 3 and above qualifications. “However, adding ‘rocket fuel’ to higher level qualifications without addressing level 2 risks leaving behind…

Campbell Robb’s thoughts following International Women’s Day I got very very angry this morning listening to the radio. I admit that happens quite a lot, but this was unusual and noticeable. The reporting of the coverage of the investigation into the disappearance of Sarah Everard was what did it. How can it be 2021 and…

The Ministry of Justice have introduced a new Police, Crime, Sentencing & Courts Bill which includes a ‘tough on crime’ approach with longer sentences and harsher punishments In response to the new Bill, Campbell Robb, Nacro Chief Executive, commented: “We all want to cut crime and create safer communities for everyone, but these reforms won’t…

Nacro’s Chief Executive, Campbell Robb, has written for The Times Red Box, emphasising the worsening crisis of COVID-19 in our prisons and reiterating our calls to government to keep people in the criminal justice system safe. “There are now a number of prisons where serious outbreaks of COVID-19 are causing real concern. These come amid…

The Justice Select Committee has, today, released the second part of its report into children and young people in custody, focusing on ‘The Youth Secure Estate and Resettlement’. This second report follows the publication, in November 2020, of the Committee’s initial report on ‘Entry into the Youth Justice System’. Today’s report reiterates the fall in…

Simon’s journey with Nacro began almost 13 years ago as an apprentice at our Boston Education & Skills Centre. Since then, he’s witnessed the development of our education provision and worked his way up to assistant principal of Nacro Education. This National Apprenticeship Week, he tells his story and reveals how apprenticeships can open doors…

In the midst of a third national lockdown, with COVID-19 cases skyrocketing and temperatures plummeting, the issue of rough sleeping has shot to the top of the news agenda. The Government’s ‘Everyone In’ Scheme – implemented in response to the first wave of the pandemic – was a real success story, supporting approximately 33,000 people,…

In response to the new Education White Paper, Lisa Capper, Director of Education & Skills, commented: “For many young people, traditional educational pathways just don’t work, so we are pleased that the role of independent training providers is recognised in today’s announcement in delivering apprenticeships, but importantly also through their valuable role in delivering Study…

The latest official monthly statistics1 show a sharp increase of 65% in Covid-19 infections in prisons across the country, and a 51% rise in deaths related to the disease. Leading social justice charity Nacro is calling on the government to ensure that all staff working in prisons are treated as a priority for vaccination. In…

With the dismaying announcement that the government plans to fund 18,000 more prison places by 2026, we are forced to ask, once again, why crime prevention fails to get the same emphasis as punishment. Last Wednesday, the chancellor announced more than £4bn in capital funding – spread over four years – largely dedicated to funding…

In response to today’s Spending Review announcement, Campbell Robb, Nacro Chief Executive, commented: “Almost half of people released from prison reoffend within a year. Today’s announcement of funding for an additional 18,000 prison places will do nothing to tackle the scourge of reoffending, which is why we are calling on the Government, in the coming…

The Justice Committee, today, has released its report ‘Children and Young People in Custody, Part 1: Entry into the youth justice system’, off the back of its inquiry into ‘Children and Young People in the Youth Justice System’, launched in July 2019. Responding to the ‘changing demands on the youth justice system’, the report highlights…

By Sam Julius, Public Affairs & Campaigns Officer Faced with a COVID-19 resurgence, as case numbers, hospital admissions and deaths all continue to rise, it is time for the Government to act by implementing – or extending – several key policies in order to reduce the impact of the virus on those in contact with…

Earlier this year at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic we set out some calls to Government to ensure that people in the criminal justice system were kept safe and risk of harm was reduced. As the 2nd wave of the pandemic hits and the country goes into different stages of lockdown, we need to…

In response to Ministry of Justice plans to “reduce reoffending”, Nacro Chief Executive Campbell Robb said: “It is welcome news that the government intends to focus on rehabilitation and to set ambitious targets to monitor that for people leaving prison, the key elements are in place to reduce reoffending – a home, a job and…

In response to Ministry of Justice’s Sentencing White Paper, Nacro Chief Executive Campbell Robb said: “Some welcome announcements today on criminal records and a focus on education and substance misuse but these are outweighed by the pressure that longer sentences will put on an already stretched system and the need for fundamental reform. “With a…

Our students who attend our Education and Skills Centres have achieved incredible results despite personal barriers and the challenges of learning during a pandemic.. we are so proud of their hard work and determination. Those who have to re-sit their GCSE exams in English and maths receive excellent tailored support from our experienced and skilled…

Nacro was a key contributor to the Justice Committee’s session on: Coronavirus (COVID-19): The impact on prisons. The Committee has released a report on this session and will now launch an inquiry into ongoing reforms. Read the report here. Prison Regime Changes We agree that continuing to lock people in their cells for 23 hours a day is…

Nacro was a key contributor to the Justice Committee’s session on: Coronavirus (COVID-19): The impact on probation systems. The Committee has released a report on this session and will now launch an inquiry into ongoing reforms in the service. Nacro’s External Engagement Director, Helen Berresford who attended the session, comments: “We are pleased to see the Committee recognise that…

In response to HMI Probation Accommodation Thematic Inspection report which found that a lack of housing is jeopardising public protection and rehabilitation of offenders, Nacro Chief Executive Campbell Robb said: “This report hits the nail on the head. For far too long the scandal of people leaving prison homeless with little chance to turn their…

In response to today’s announcement, Campbell Robb, Nacro Chief Executive, commented: “We are delighted that the Government has recognised the value of a unified probation service after the fragmentation and failed reform of recent years. With this change must come a renewed commitment to the vital support charities of all sizes deliver, hand in hand…

Blog post about how Coronavirus has impacted on our justice teams

At yesterday’s first ever remote Justice Select Committee, Helen Berresford, Director of External Engagement, gave evidence on how people leaving prison should be supported during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and the need for longevity in planning beyond COVID-19. A panel of experts remotely attended the committee on the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on prison, probation…

At Nacro we believe that in these unprecedented times, it is more important than ever to support those caught up in the criminal justice system, both in prison and on release. While there has been much immediate focus on how to manage the prison estate, for those whose release date is coming up, reintegrating into…

In response to the HM Inspectorate of Prisons annual report regarding experiences of children in custody, Nacro Chief Executive, Campbell Robb, said: “As a society we cannot stand by any longer as report after report highlights the wholly unacceptable conditions that children in custody are facing. Not only are these conditions inhumane, they are ineffective…

Nacro becomes Society for Education and Training Corporate Partner The Society for Education and Training (SET) is welcoming staff at Nacro, a national social justice charity with more than 50 years’ experience of changing lives, building stronger communities and reducing crime, as SET members. Nacro has signed a Corporate Partnership with SET – the professional…

Campbell Robb, Chief Executive of Nacro, comments in response to the HM Inspectorate of Prisons report ‘Separation of children in young offender institutions’: The findings in this report are deeply disturbing. It is wholly unacceptable that children are unable to access the basics of everyday life, including a daily shower and telephone call, and simply…

Campbell Robb, Chief Executive of Nacro, comments in response to the Queen’s Speech: The announcement in today’s Queen’s Speech to send more people to prison and for longer must be backed up with a commitment and investment in rehabilitation and reducing reoffending. This means giving people the essentials they need as they leave prison to…

In response to the publication of the Ofsted inspection report for Medway Secure Training Centre (STC), Nacro Chief Executive, Campbell Robb, said: “We are incredibly proud of the role Nacro education staff have played in helping children at Medway STC progress in education and get on a pathway to success. As recognised in the inspection…

Campbell Robb, Chief Executive of Nacro, comments in response to Friday’s tragic events in London: Following the tragic events in London Bridge last Friday, our first thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the family and friends of Jack Merritt and Saskia Jones and all those affected. People’s search for answers will understandably continue for some…

In response to recent analysis of youth justice system figures, Nacro Chief Executive, Campbell Robb, said: “These shocking re-offending rates show how broken our youth justice system is. With over 40% of young people that are convicted or cautioned reoffending within one year, it is clear we need to change our approach and recognize there…

In response to the MoJ announcement regarding UK prisons set to receive innovative security investment, Nacro Chief Executive, Campbell Robb, said: “With record high levels of self harm and violence within our prisons, investment to improve security and tackle smuggling is essential, but it is not the only solution we need to truly tackle crime…

In response to the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Knife Crime, ‘Back to School?’ Nacro Chief Executive, Campbell Robb, said: “Young people at risk of school exclusion and offending often have a complex set of social, emotional, psychological and educational back-stories that require tackling head-on to prevent a downward spiral, and we know that 85% of…

In response to the Queen’s Speech today, Nacro CEO Campbell Robb commented: “We all share the aim of reducing crime and reducing the number of victims of crime. However, the sentencing proposals in today’s Queen’s speech do nothing to tackle this. “Over three quarters of all crimes that result in a caution or sentence are…

In response to the new Offender Accommodation Pilot announcement, Nacro Chief Executive Campbell Robb said: “The people we support upon release from prison so often face an impossible struggle to make a fresh start, held back by homelessness, a lack of health support, job opportunities or sufficient money to get food and basics to survive….

In response to HMI Prisons and Probation report on youth resettlement, stating that children leaving custody are being “set up to fail” through lack of support, Nacro Chief Executive, Campbell Robb, said, “It is simply unacceptable that little has changed since the last HMI Prisons and Probation report on youth resettlement published in 2015, which…

In response to Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) figures regarding the number of households in temporary residence, Nacro Chief Executive, Campbell Robb, said: “This shocking rise in homeless households must drive further Government action. With evidence that the National Probation Service, responsible for prison leavers, has made the most homeless referrals, we can no…

In response to MoJ figures regarding homelessness amongst people leaving prison, Nacro Chief Executive, Campbell Robb, said: “These shocking figures reveal the unacceptable scale of the challenge people leaving prison face to get their lives back on track. The people we support upon release from prison too often face an impossible struggle to turn away…

In response to £100 million government investment to tackle crime within prisons, Nacro Chief Executive, Campbell Robb, said: “With record high levels of self harm and violence – investment to improve security within our prisons is important but it is not the only solution we need to truly tackle reoffending. We also need urgent investment…

The article contains a case study of Nacro service user, Phillip, who began using our substance misuse project in 2017. He was formerly a prolific offender, who was homeless on several occasions after being released from custody: “If I had come out and gone into a proper place to stay, I could’ve started fresh and…