Nacro response to the National Partnership Agreement

In response to the announcement of the National Partnership Agreement between MoJ, HMPPS and DWP* for employment and welfare support, Nacro Chief Executive, Campbell Robb, said:
“At Nacro, we want to see people in contact with the justice system given the best possible chance to move forward. Planning for a fresh start upon release from prison is vital. We cannot afford for people to be held back because they cannot get a job, get valid ID or access to sufficient money, as these are essential basics required for people to successfully reintegrate back into our local communities.

“We have been calling for the government to take a cross-departmental approach to ensure effective resettlement and tackle reoffending, and we are pleased to see plans for a National Partnership Agreement for employment and welfare support.

“A review of the £46 discharge grant given to people upon release from prison is long overdue. We know that the first few hours and days after release from prison are critical. Having so little to survive upon and a lack of the right support significantly increases the risk of offending when it does not have to be this way.”

*MoJ (Ministry of Justice), HMPPS (Her Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service), DWP (Department for Work and Pensions)