the role of charieties and pressure groups (3.1)

What are charities and pressure groups

Unlike the police, prisons and probation services, charities and pressure groups are voluntary organisations that are independent of government control.

What is their aim

Aims to promote the interests and welfare of the people they are concerned with, such as ex-offenders or victims of crime

What is the difference between charities and pressure groups

Charities are organisations set up to provide help to those in need, while pressure groups are organisations that campaigns to achieve change.

What is NACRO

An organisation combining the two roles, a charity that provides help to ex offenders and at the same time campaigns as a pressure groups to change government policies that affect them

What does NACRO stand for

NACRO stands for the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders. Founded in 1966

What is NACRO’s philosophy

NACRO describes itself as a social justice charity seeking to change lives, strengthen communities and prevent crime. It aims to overcome the stereotyped view of the ex-prisoner.

Aims and objectives

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What does NACRO do with housing

NACRO houses over 3,000 tenants in its own properties, and also provides bail accommodation and support services. In 2018, over 2,600 people left custody with secure permanent accommodation

What is evidence of their education aspect

In 2018, 4,900 people studied through Nacro’s education services

What is their resettlement advice

NACRO provides support and advice about employment, education and accommodation to people with criminal records and to the professionals working with them

What are their outreach projects

To keep young people from offending

Campaigns

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What does NACRO campaign for

To change laws and policies affecting ex-offenders, such as the campaign to reform the Rehabilitation of Offender Act 1975 and criminal records checks.

What is NACRO a supporter of

A supporter of the Ban the Box campaign. This campaign aims to enable people with convictions to compete for jobs by removing the tick-box in criminal convictions that appears unnecessarily on many job applications forms

Funding

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Where does there funding come from

NACRO has an income of around £50m a year. Funding comes from public donations, government grants, and contracts for providing services for ex-offenders and others

Working practices

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What are the types of criminality and offender

NACRO works with a range of ex-offenders, including those released from prison. It also works with young people at risk of offending, such as those excluded from mainstream school. More broadly, it is concerned with the needs of disadvantaged young people and adults

National and local reach

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Where is NACRO located

NACRO is a national organisation with local activities and projects in around 50 different parts of England and Wales at any one time

What does the staff include

It has a large full-staff and many unpaid volunteers