Nacro annual review

Contents Introduction – making a difference 2 Strengthening communities – youth work 6 Strengthening communities – volunteers 8 Education and employment – young people 10 Education and employment – the hardest to reach 12 Housing – ex-offenders and homeless people 14 Criminal justice – community penalties 16 Integrated resettlement – adult offenders 18 Integrated resettlement – young offenders 20 Nacro Cymru 22 Finances 24 Boards and committees 26 Vision, mission, commitment to equality 28If you have particularneeds which make itdifficult for you to readthis, call 020 7840 6433and we will try to find amore suitable format169 Clapham Road, London SW9 0PUTel 020 7582 6500 Fax 020 7735 4666email ceo@nacro.org.ukwww.nacro.org.ukNacro is a company limited by guarantee, registered London no. 203583,registered as a charity no. 226171Nacro Community Enterprises (NCE) is a company limited by guarantee,registered London no. 1052098, a registered social landlord no. H2030,registered as a charity no. 264658© Nacro November 2005The publisher is solely responsible for the contents of this publication.Nacro is very grateful to everyone who appears in the photos. Pleasenote, it should not be assumed that any individuals depicted have anyassociation with the stories or activities described in the text. Somenames have been changed.

tasted strawberries or mangoes. I introduce them tofruit kebabs and new potatoes, and encourage themto eat vegetables with every meal.’Meanwhile, at Philips Park, not far from the City ofManchester stadium, project worker Mark Royle haslined up half a dozen young people on mountainbikes at the top of a very steep hill. He doesn’t needto say much to them because they are alreadyfocused on their swift descent. In fact, it’s fair to saythat some of them look quite daunted by theprospect. ‘Yeah, it’s a test of nerve,’ he grins.Mark helps to run the Nacro Discus Duke ofEdinburgh Award, which is attended by youngpeople aged 14 to 25, including many from theyouth inclusion programmes. ‘Half the people I workwith have never even been to the Peak District, eventhough it’s only an hour away. Once they’re there,you see the difference in them: they’re out of theirusual surroundings and they relax. We like to getthem out into the open air, educate them, and buildtheir confidence.’ This year, he is planning a kayaktrip along the River Spey and a summer camp atRoss-on-Wye.‘I like it here at Discus,’ says Sammy, as she bitesinto an apple and tries to ignore her younger cousinwho is pulling faces at her through the window. ‘It’sbetter than staying out on the street because outthere, I just get stoned all the time. When I was achild, people were always getting at me and Iwouldn’t say anything, but as I’ve got older I’vebecome more violent. It makes me angry if peopletry to make me look like a fool.‘Yeah, I’ve been kicked of school. At the first school Iwas always fighting with the pupils. Then one of theteachers tried to take the piss out of my littlebrother so I hit her, and she started crying andlocked herself in a room. I got kicked out. Then Iwas kicked out of an education scheme a few times.Now I come here for maths and English lessons, soI’m still getting a bit of education. I know how toread and write and add up.‘Discus workers are not just workers, they’re morelike friends. You can have a laugh with them. Theymake time for you. It’s a place that brings a smileto your face, yeah. They’re always telling jokes, likeRoy, the guy I do football with. I also do boxing afew nights a week, but I get tired, especially mylegs, with the skipping and squats.’Sammy finishes her apple. ‘Do you know what?’ shesays. ‘I’ve not had a fight for months. That’s reallygood for me.’ 7

Strengthening communities volunteers‘Why volunteer? I felt I had insights into whatgoes on with young people, I wanted to progress inmy career, and I wanted to boost my self-esteem,’says Emma Morris. ‘I’d previously been a prisonofficer, and Nacro is very highly thought of withinthe Prison Service, so it was the best choice for me.’‘When I started, I thought Nacro might let me helpout in the office, maybe do the photocopying. I hadno idea that they’d encourage me to do the thingsI’ve done since then. I started volunteering for thealternative education programme in Chelmsford forteenagers excluded or nearly excluded from school.The project is very sports-oriented and I’m not verysporty myself. At the beginning, I did a lot ofrefereeing and pretending to kick a football.’ Shelaughs: ‘That was an ice-breaker to say the least.They all had a giggle at my expense.’‘Without Nacro, I wouldn’t have hadthe self-confidence to accomplishwhat I have. It opened a door for me.My work has been appreciated, andthe support has been fantastic.’When she wasn’t falling over on the football pitch,Emma decided to put her criminology diploma togood use. She approached the project with the idea ofrunning an eight-week programme for youngoffenders in the community. ‘Nacro was verysupportive,’ she says. She spent six monthsresearching the idea, dubbed Chance to Change, andthen launched the pilot last October with four youngpeople. The thinking behind it was both simple andprofound: ‘Much behaviour is learned,’ she points out,‘and just as young people have learned it, they canalso unlearn it. It was designed to make them realisethat they’ve got the power to change their ownbehaviour without me preaching at them. They canstill express themselves, but they don’t need to do itin ways that will bring them up against the justicesystem.’Emma’s innovative work with young offenders madeher joint winner (with Paul Booth, pictured right) ofNacro’s ‘Volunteer of the Year’ award and this hasopened up new vistas: ‘Because of the success ofChance to Change, there’s plans afoot to branch outwith it across Essex, and I have been asked to run it.’She is justifiably proud of her achievement, but shealso acknowledges the help she has received.‘Without Nacro, I wouldn’t have had the selfconfidenceto accomplish what I have. It opened adoor for me. My work has been appreciated, and thesupport has been fantastic.’Volunteers are a vital part of Nacro’s work. Nearly athousand of them bring their skills and experienceto the organisation, and Nacro in turn provides themwith training and a chance to get involved inpositive and effective community work. Peoplevolunteer for all sorts of reasons, both personal andprofessional. They often wish to give young people agood start in life and to put something back into the8

community. They may also wish to gain workexperience, get training, challenge themselves, andmeet new people. Along the way, they get involvedin a wide range of activities, from coachingbasketball teams to helping people with applicationsor mentoring kids with behavioural problems.‘We focus on the strengths of our volunteers,’ saysNick Emery, manager of Nacro’s Chelmsford Sport inthe Community project. ‘Some of them have beenthrough the same experiences that kids are goingthrough now. We’ve got one lad who’s just completedhis junior sports leader awards on our alternativeeducation programme, and he is now a volunteerwith us. Others bring entirely different lifeexperiences to the mix. Our oldest volunteer has justretired from running his own business: he helps torun the education programme, and his skills haverubbed off on the young people.’ Allen Kittles, a onetimevolunteer who now works as a Nacro sportsdevelopment worker, says that volunteers help tokeep the project running. ‘I’ve got four helping metomorrow with our football session,’ he says, by wayof example.Volunteering is not a one-way street; the volunteersalso benefit in a variety of ways from working withNacro. They participate in interesting andchallenging work. Their skills are enhanced throughtraining and first-hand experience, and they aregiven regular, constructive feedback. In short, theyare part of the team.‘We want to get the most out of people whovolunteer for us, and offer them a chance to fulfiltheir potential,’ says Nick. That’s why theChelmsford project offers courses and workshopsfor volunteers, with the Football Association’s levelone coaching course proving to be especiallypopular. It also organises team meetings, socialevents and outings: last year the Paralympian 400mgold medallist, Danny Crates, addressed thevolunteer appreciation evening, and a fine time washad by all. As Allen says: ‘We have such a goodrelationship with the volunteers – they’re friends.’The contribution of volunteers does not gounnoticed by young people either, as Nick pointsout, although he adds jokingly that ‘they might notshow it at the moment they get a decision againstthem during a game.’ Connal Toner agrees. Hestarted volunteering because he knew it would standhim in good stead for university, and has stuck withit because he enjoys it. After emerging grass-stainedfrom a diving header during a kickaround, hisenthusiasm is obvious. ‘I like mucking in, gettingkids off the streets and keeping them safe. It’s goodfun, and, yeah, you’re valued for what you do.’ 9

Education and employment young people‘Kids around here are not the wayothers see them – little hooligans.They are people with talent.’Andy takes the floor at a training session foryoung people, part of the Entry to Employmentproject in Peterborough. Usually he is one of thelearners, but this morning he has agreed to run afirst aid workshop himself. He begins by issuing anultimatum: ‘If you don’t want to be here, the door’sthere.’ Everyone stays seated, and listens as heexplains about vital organs and blood supply, andfields questions about gashes and electrocution.Then they don rubber masks and kneel down to givethe doll, Resuscitation Annie, the kiss of life.Afterwards, Andy delivers his verdict with a beam:‘They need a hell of a lot of practice.’Nacro believes that education and training providesthe basis for a fulfilling and productive life. That iswhy it runs education projects for young peoplewho truant or have been excluded from school, orare not engaged in training or employment. As wellas offering work-based learning, leading tonationally recognised qualifications from awardingbodies such as City and Guilds, Nacro also providestraining to build confidence and develop basic skills.When they first arrive at the project, young people donot usually have much motivation to learn. TrainerChris Jones therefore tries to create a differentenvironment to the one usually found in schools.‘They’re aged 16 to 18, so I try to take away thatteacher-pupil thing,’ he says. ‘I tell them, “I’m a blokewho’s been through life, had some problems, and Iwant to show you how to avoid the same pitfalls”.’From then on, the project aims to offer the sort ofeducation and training that will set them up for life.The breakfast club is a case in point. Before it wasestablished, most learners started the day with junkfood or nothing at all. Now, Nacro encourages them todrop in for tea, orange juice and toast before theirsessions begin. Along the way, they pick up tips ondiet, budgeting and food preparation. As part of theirtraining, they also redecorated the breakfast area. ‘I’mnot sure I’d paint my own kitchen Dulux Sexy Pink,’says Chris, ‘but it seems to work for them. They hadfun doing it and they learnt new things, like workingout how many square metres a pot of paint wouldcover. It was maths by stealth.’Some of these young people can be difficult to workwith because they have had bad experiences ofschool and life. Nacro tries to find out what liesbehind their aggression or lack of motivation. ‘Somehave problems with drink or drugs,’ says managerSam Feeney. ‘Others really struggle to expressthemselves, which is why they clobber people orwalk out. Or they have families who are indifferentto them. One young person who comes here islocked out of home from morning until 11 o’clock atnight, so he’s always tired and anxious. It’s notsurprising he finds it hard to learn.’10

As well as helping young people with training andjobs, Nacro aims to show them how to set themselvesrealistic goals and learn from their experiences. ‘It’sunlocking their sense of their own potential,’ saysSam. Andy’s first aid class is testament to the successof this approach. ‘When he first came here, he wasvery withdrawn,’ she recalls. ‘He said he wanted to bea mechanic but it didn’t work out for him. Then wefound out that he had this interest in first aid andthought, “That’s where we need to be looking.” He rana session this morning, he knew his stuff, and he keptthe others interested. To see his smile afterwards –that made my day.’Come nightfall, the music project is warming up. Inher youth, Nacro co-ordinator Carina Greenawaywas into ragga; now she provides an outlet for anew generation who are into R&B, hip hop, garage,and grime. ‘We got some money to get it up andrunning, and I let a few young people know. I wasexpecting 10 to 15 people; we got 50 or 60.’ Theproject started with a karaoke machine, but nowboasts speakers, amps, decks, and a decibel level tomatch. But not every session is loud. ‘A while back Isaid to them: “I want you to get your lyrics down,”’says Carina. ‘I had 57 young people as quiet asanything, just writing. These guys wouldn’t write ifthey were sitting in a classroom; it’s the music thatmotivates them. That’s why we’ve called the projectmc 2 = e. That’s mic-chatting squared equalseducation and employment. That’s our thing.’Vocalist Carlene, aka Goldz, says that people havepreconceived notions about young people and theirmusic: ‘Everyone’s got this idea that garage causesviolence because of the way the boys look with theircaps and coats and stuff, but we’re not promotingthat. It’s good that Carina’s done this thing at Nacro,because everyone can come together.’ Koosh agrees:‘We welcome help like this with open arms – now it’shappening.’ ‘That’s right,’ says MC Lyrical T, ‘we’removing forward now.’Co-ordinator Mick McMurray gestures to the areabehind the Nacro building, where an impressivemural bears the message: ‘Nacro – changing lives,creating opportunities.’ He explains that some of thepeople on the music project had been in trouble forspraying graffiti around town, ‘but this dodgy bit ofwall was crying out for it’. Flipz helped the designer,Spot, execute the mural, and he explains thethinking behind it. ‘Kids around here are not theway others see them – little hooligans,’ he says.‘They’re people with talent, and the mural here is anexpression of that talent.’ 11

Education and employment the hardest to reach‘I did a long time in prison – eight-and-a-halfyears of a 12-year sentence,’ says Danny. ‘When Icame out, all the people I’d known before hadmoved away and I spent a lot of time by myself. Itwas like being back inside. Things have started tochange with Nacro, though. I’ve got a disability – I’ma paranoid schizophrenic – so they’ve been trying tofind me a residential training course. One collegewouldn’t accept me because I was takingmethadone, but another one said “no problem”. I’mhoping to do a joinery course, and then startworking with my brother.’Nacro helps ex-offenders and others on the marginsof society to get into education, training and jobsbecause this enables them to live more productiveand settled lives. Many of its programmes aredesigned to meet the needs of specific groups, suchas basic skills programmes for people who aresupervised by the probation service, and Entry toEmployment programmes for young people who arenot ready to go straight into training and work.Nacro’s Day Services and Progress 2 Work projects inTelford are specifically designed to help stabilisedadult drug users make a fresh start.‘They know that we go out of our wayfor them and they can trust us. Thatcan make a big difference, especiallywhen they are struggling to cope.’Drug users are among the hardest people to workwith because their addiction has had such adestructive effect on their lives. ‘When we first meetpeople, they have withdrawn from just abouteverything,’ says training manager John Thorburn.‘Some of them refuse to leave their flats unless theyhave to, and others get quite anxious amongstgroups of people. They are loners, essentially. So it’sa case of easing them back out into the community.Once you’ve done that, you can start engaging themin other things, such as training and jobs.’Nacro’s Day Services, which receives referrals fromthe Community Substance Misuse Team, aims tohelp people get back into everyday life over a 16-week period, starting with home visits, and movingon to group outings with a recreational oreducational element. This can begin with simplethings, like a walk in the park to build up theirfitness, to more challenging activities, like enrollingon a short computer course. ‘Day Services arebrilliant at meeting individual needs,’ says areamanager Michael Bainbridge.After that, Nacro’s Progress 2 Work, which is fundedby Jobcentre Plus and carried out in partnershipwith the Drug and Alcohol Action Team, helpsstabilised drug users to move on to training or workover a six-month period. ‘Many people I work withhave never had a job,’ says substance misuse coordinatorTara Pond, ‘so they don’t get up until the12

afternoon, and don’t have a routine.’ One of her firstobjectives is to get them used to the rhythms of theworking day: ‘If they are getting up at 3pm, I makean appointment to see them at 2pm. The next time,I’ll set the appointment for 1pm. By the time theyare showing up at 9am, I know they are ready tostart training or a job.’As Tara’s team introduce structure and purpose intopeople’s lives, it also builds up their belief inthemselves. ‘A lot of them have never had peoplesaying positive things about them before, and theyrespond well to it. We set them small goals, andcongratulate them when they achieve them. Whenwe review their work with us we say: “You’ve madereal progress.”’ As a result, they gain confidence inthemselves, and in the Nacro staff. ‘They know thatwe will go out of our way for them and they cantrust us,’ she says. ‘That can make a big difference,especially when they are struggling to cope. So whenone of the guys here started using drugs again, hetold us about it immediately, and we put him incontact with people who could get him through that.It’s good that they can say to us, “Help me, thingsare going wrong,” because we can help.’In the meantime, she relies on judgment and instinctto get the most out of people. ‘Some don’t mind ifyou phone them up to get them out of bed for work,even though they use some colourful expressions atthe time – they think: “You’ve got up to call me, soI’ll get up too.” But others react against it becausethey think they are being controlled: “If you’re goingto hassle me, I’m not going to do it.” It’s trial anderror; you hope you’ll strike the right note straightaway.’ Dave grimaces as he recalls Tara phoning himup at 7am, but philosophically views it as one oflife’s vicissitudes. ‘You try to get on with things,’ hesays. Now, with the project’s assistance, he’s on ajob placement with a timber merchant.With help to find training and jobs, people begin tostraighten out their lives. ‘One young woman camehere last autumn,’ says Tara. ‘She was usingmethadone, she wasn’t quite ready for change, andshe dropped out. Then she came back. She was moremotivated to do it, and we gave her the opportunity.We got her on to a course and her child into anursery. She was very nervous about leaving him thatfirst day, but they both did fine. She finished hertraining and got a job out of it, and was then offereda better job. We met yesterday, and she said: “My lifehas completely changed.” To see the difference in herfrom last October to now – you can’t beat that.’ 13

Housing ex-offenders and homeless people‘We ask two things of people who stay here,’says Nacro team manager, Steve Johnson. ‘One, theymust be motivated to make a change in their lives –get back on the straight and narrow, so to speak.And two, they must accept support. We deal withpeople who are coming off long sentences, areinstitutionalised, and need to get their bearings insociety before moving on to live independently. Wegive them a chance to find their feet.’Nacro believes that good quality accommodationgives people a stable platform on which to build abetter life. To this end, it offers ex-offenders andhomeless people places in flats, shared houses andhostels around England and North Wales,accommodating around 3,000 people each year. Italso provides ‘floating support’ to many morehoused by local authorities, housing associationsand private landlords.In partnership with the Nottinghamshire ProbationService, Nacro runs a supported housing andresettlement scheme for male offenders aged 25 andover who have committed serious offences and areserving the final part of their sentence in thecommunity. ‘Demand for the scheme is going throughthe roof because of changing sentencing practices,’says assistant area manager, Ian Dawson. ‘There aremore prisoners serving part of their sentences undersupervision in the community, so there’s a greater callon housing for high-risk offenders.’‘Nacro offer all the support you wantand a good place to live. If you wantto get things in order, this is the placeto be. It’s like a foundation stone.’‘Society cannot lock people up and throw away thekey,’ says Steve Johnson. ‘We aim to rehabilitatepeople because, by doing so, we reduce the risk oftheir reoffending and protect those who mightotherwise be future victims.’ At the same time,Nacro works alongside the probation service and thepolice’s Dangerous Persons Management Unit toensure that the residents do not reoffend or breachthe terms of their licence – sex offenders, forexample, are monitored by police and probation‘multi-agency public protection arrangements’.‘These are high-risk offenders,’ says Steve, who isseconded to Nacro from the probation service. ‘Sowe keep a tight grip on them, and make sure theyare not doing anything off the wall.’‘When they arrive, some are in denial and others arereally upset by what they’ve done,’ says projectworker Fran Bradley. ‘We don’t want to wrap them upin cotton wool because they have, after all,committed a very serious offence. But they alsoneed to go forward. Most of them say at some point:“I’d rather be back in prison because I’m gettingnowhere here.” I say: “Woah, think about what you’resaying. You’ve got your freedom, but the people youhave offended against – that’s a sentence for them.”We don’t talk about the offence as such, but we do14

talk about the repercussions. We also praise themfor the little things they achieve, and you seechanges in them.‘At the same time, it’s our job to check that they arenot doing anything stupid, such as going toinappropriate places. There are certain questions thathave to be asked of them, such as where they’ve beenand who they’ve seen. We say: “Did you have a niceday today? Seen anybody nice? What photos did youtake – oh, can I have a look?” We monitor them, but inways that are not in their face. You want to believethat they are never, ever going to commit an offenceagain but you also have to err on the side of caution.’Residents find the atmosphere relaxed compared toprisons and probation hostels. ‘It’s great,’ says Mick.‘There’s no curfew and people here help each otherout.’ And they appreciate the positive support onoffer: ‘Coming to Nacro has been the best thing Ihave ever done,’ says Mark. ‘It’s given me the start inlife I needed. I persecute myself for what’s gone onin the past – I’m always carrying it around in mymind – but Nacro help you to face up to yourproblems. They offer all the support you want, agood place to live. If you want to get things in order,this is the place to be. It’s like a foundation stone.’Elsewhere in Nottingham, Nacro, working inpartnership with the city council, offers housing toyoung people aged 16 to 24 who are either homelessor experiencing housing problems (pictured aboveand left). Staff also help them to claim benefits, findeducation or work, and manage problems such asfamily breakdown. Furthermore, they offer guidanceon living skills, such as budgeting and cooking,which will be of use when they move on to longerterm,independent housing.Nacro staff Alex Careless and Yvonne Smith also dealwith factors that contribute to homelessness. ‘A lothave come from backgrounds where nobody gives adamn what they are doing, so they pushboundaries,’ says Alex. ‘We get kids who’ve been toldthat they’re a waste of space,’ adds Yvonne, ‘so weaddress that, and see them grow.’ Some of the lettersfrom former tenants are very poignant. One, sent ona fancy card, reads simply: ‘I am very thankful toevery single member of Nacro – you have been a bighelp.’It’s a sentiment that Sarah and Caitlin would endorse.The two sixteen-year-olds are basking in the sunoutside one of the hostels, and seem very much athome. ‘They’re not mardy,’ says Sarah about the Nacroteam, ‘they always ask if you’re all right.’ Caitlinagrees: ‘People assume that the homeless must betrouble-causers, and they try to put an authority tripon you. But everyone here is dead friendly. If we’remessy, they’ll ask us to clean up, but they’re nothorrible about it. They’re always welcoming: they sayhello when you come in. We do what we want but weare still living securely. It’s perfect really.’ 15

Criminal justice community penaltiesJoseph steps nervously into the plastic kayak,pulling up his baggy trousers as he does so. Thekayak wobbles as he sits down and pushes hislegs into the prow. The instructor passes him apaddle. Joseph adjusts his hat with his sparehand, then pushes out into Southmere Lake atThamesmead in South-East London. Chris andIsmail follow, rearranging their headgear beforepaddling off. ‘They won’t be separated from theirhats, wherever they go,’ says Nacro sessionalmentor Frank Horrocks.These young people, aged between 14 and 17, are onNacro’s Intensive Supervision and SurveillanceProgramme (ISSP), which is run in partnership withyouth offending teams in Greenwich, Lewisham andSouthwark. ISSPs are a rigorous community-basedpunishment for young offenders. ‘Usually we getyoung people whose crime is so serious, they wouldbe sentenced to a long prison term if they were anadult – robbery, burglary, firearms offences, drugswith intent to supply,’ says ISSP manager, IhonaHirving. ‘Nearly all of them will have an electronictag or a curfew, or both.’‘If you are in custody, there’s nothingyou can do about it. But if you are onan ISSP you have to deal with thepressure of people saying, “Come on,you can bunk it off just one day”’.Young people must complete up to 25 hourseducation, training or work with the programmeeach week over a six-month period; if they fail to doso, they are likely to be sent to prison. ‘Most ofthem are nowhere near GCSE level, but theyimmediately rebel if you approach them with rotelearning, which is common practice in schools,’ saysIhona, ‘so we have to be innovative.’ Nacro’schallenge is to get them back into mainstreameducation or into training while tackling some ofthe problems that led to their offending.Nacro has long campaigned for community-basedalternatives to custody – not only because prisonsare extremely damaging and hostile places, but alsobecause a high percentage of young people reoffendafter being released. ‘In some ways an ISSP is harderthan custody, because these kids are given a choice,’says Frank Horrocks. ‘If you’re in custody, there’snothing you can do about it. But if you’re on an ISSPyou have to go home and see your friends, and dealwith the pressure of people saying, “Come on, youcan bunk it off for just one day.” So when I’m withsomeone new to the programme, I ask them: “Wouldyou rather do this or be in jail?” They say: “I’d ratherdo this.” I say: “Well, it’s going to be harder than yourealise, but you’ve got to do it.”’Young people respond to ISSPs in different ways.‘Some people get nothing out of the programmebecause they choose not to,’ Frank explains. ‘I asked16

one kid who’d been convicted for robbery whetherhe would keep doing the same thing. He said, “Yeah,because it’s easy.” There was no reasoning with him;he saw himself as a hustler. But others realise thatthey are in danger of ruining their lives. There wasone kid who was notorious; there had been a highprofilecase, and he had a lot to live up to. When hefirst joined the programme, we’d take him on grouptrips and he’d sit on the back seat of the bus like itwas a throne, while the others all sat around him.You could see people holding their bags closer as hewalked by. He didn’t change overnight, but at somepoint in the programme he realised he couldn’t carryon being what he was. He started working reallyhard and did pretty well. Ultimately, it’s up to theperson what they make of it.’It’s not difficult to spot the signs that someone hasdecided to make a fresh start, says Ihona Hirving. Itstarts with simple things like being on time for asession, and continues when they make seriousdecisions about the course of their lives. ‘They stopsaying “I want to be a professional footballer” or “Iwant to be a racing driver” and start thinking morerealistically about what they can achieve.’ What ratesas a success? ‘We’re always very pleased when ayoung person decides to go back to school.’The project also encourages young people to acquireskills that will stand them in good stead in thefuture. Mechanics is always a popular course.‘Instead of nicking cars, they are taught how to fixthem,’ says Ihona. ‘Most of them are very keen on itbecause they can see how their applied knowledgehas an end result. When they take a broken engineand get it working again, they think, “Wow! I didthat.” It does wonders for their self-esteem.’Down at Southmere Lake, the three lads emergefrom the boats, their clothing soaked. They drytheir shirts and trainers in the sun, but the hatsremain glued to their heads. There’s a debate aboutwho won the kayak race around the yellow flag (‘Iwon that time, innit,’ ‘No, I beat you, man…’). Frankadmits that there are some outings that haven’tworked out, but many do. His favourite was a tripto the Cabinet War Rooms earlier this year. ‘Eventhough I thought some of them might cause trouble,it went smoothly. The educational exercises thathad been worked out for them were reallyinteresting and they took to the subject. It was aperfect day. No one would have thought they wereon sentences for robbery or burglary. They’re notbad, but at a certain time, they committed a crime.Our job is to address that.’ 17

Integrated resettlement adult offenders‘Prisoners are bewildered when they come out,especially if they’ve served a long sentence,’ saysNacro resettlement worker Kevin Gallagher. ‘I gave alift to one man who had done five years. He wasgetting quite tearful in the car to Darlington becauseof the speed of the traffic, the number of cars on theroad, and the open spaces. He said: “I don’t knowhow I’m going to cope with this, everything’s so fastand big and blurry.” It was a shock for him. It’s evenworse if they come out with no place to stay and nofamily to go to. If it’s 5pm and they’ve got nowhereto sleep that night, what options do they have?Some get drunk, others get themselves arrested sothey can spend the night in a police cell. So in lessthan 24 hours, they are back in bother.’Most prisoners find the prospect of the outside worlddaunting. A significant number are released withouta place to stay or a job to go to. Many find it difficultto claim benefits or register with a doctor becausethey lack documents or an address. The networks offamily and social support that most people take forgranted are often not available to them. The worldcan seem a very hostile place, and it is all too easy toreturn to old haunts and old habits.‘I can talk with her about things that Iwouldn’t talk about to other people.It’s like there’s someone there for me– I’ve never had that before.’Nacro helps prisoners by finding themaccommodation, assisting them with jobs, training,and benefits, and encouraging them to rebuildpositive relationships with family and friends. Byproviding a more stable foundation to people’s lives,it aims to reduce reoffending. In 2004/05, Nacrostaff helped 10,000 prisoners, while its ResettlementPlus Helpline dealt with some 20,000 enquiries fromprisoners, ex-offenders, and those who know andwork with them. In particular, it has long advocatedintegrated resettlement – in other words, continuingsupport for prisoners making the transition fromprison to the community.The Pyramid project, funded by the Northern RockFoundation and run by Nacro in the Tees Valley andthe DePaul Trust in Tyneside, is a model of thisapproach. It works with offenders in prison andafter they are released. ‘The idea of integratedresettlement used to be on the fringe, but now it’smainstream,’ says Pyramid’s Tees Valley managerGordon Fenwick. ‘NOMS is starting to act onsomething that Nacro has been trying to put intopractice for years.’Resettlement begins in prison. Many prisoners havecomplex problems far beyond accommodation andemployment. ‘One guy we’re working with had splitup with his girlfriend, got into drugs and alienatedhis family,’ says Nacro resettlement worker PaulShaw, based at Holme House prison. ‘Only hismother kept in contact with him; the father was ano-no. When he was released, he couldn’t go back18

home so we sorted out a place for him. Since thenhe’s got a flat and started work, and he’s slowlybeing eased back into the family through the mum.She’s impressed with us because four months downthe line, he’s still off the drugs.’‘Our resettlement work covers anything that willmake the prisoners’ release easier,’ says RebeccaColes, also based at Holme House. As well ascommon problems such as accommodation, thereare more unusual issues. One morning, she got aphone call from a prisoner’s brother saying that hecouldn’t afford to feed the pets. ‘It turned out theprisoner owned quite a few,’ she laughs. ‘Four dogs,three cats, seven gerbils, rabbits, guinea pigs and abudgie.’ They spent the day calling around animalshelters. ‘Nacro resettlement: Pets R Us,’ grins PaulShaw. In the event, the prisoner was bailed andreunited with his menagerie.Resettlement support continues after release if theprisoner and staff feel that this would be beneficial.A resettlement worker will visit the prisoner andarrange to meet them after they get out. ‘It’s veryimportant to discuss things face to face before theyare released,’ says Kevin Gallagher. ‘People are nottreated very well in prison, they are just a number ina big machine, so they are quite surprised when youintroduce yourself and shake hands with them. Ifyou maintain that same attitude, and do what yousay you are going to do, they begin to trust you.That’s important because there’s more chance they’llkeep in touch when they get out.’The Pyramid Project runs a mentoring scheme as partof a painting and decorating course set up withinLow Newton women’s prison, near Durham. Asalways, the emphasis is on continuity of supportbefore and after release. Nacro’s co-ordinator DaveKing recruited and trained the volunteer mentors,and then took a group into the prison to meet thewomen inside. Avril Joy, the prison’s head of learningand skills, takes up the story: ‘We sat down aroundthe table in the painting and decorating area. A fewof the mentors said things, and a few of the womensaid things, and within 10 minutes, everyone wastalking. Something had clicked. I was delighted andso was Dave. Sustained support is a crucial factor intheir successful resettlement, and that’s what thisproject has offered.’ Are Nacro people good to workwith? ‘They are brilliant people to work with.’But the final word must rest with the women. Lynnsays that her mentor, Pauline, understands exactlywhere she’s coming from: ‘I’ll keep in contact with herwhen I leave because she’s helped me a lot.’ Christineagrees. ‘My mentor, Siobhan, is on my wavelength,’she says. ‘I can talk with her about things that Iwouldn’t talk about to other people. It’s like there’ssomeone there for me – I’ve never had that before.’ 19

Integrated resettlement young offenders‘I want to forget about all this,’ says Terence.‘I’ve been to jail before, and I committed morecrimes when I got out. This time when I’m released, Iwant to get a job and settle down. Prison’s a waste ofmy life. And there’s the trouble I’ve caused thevictims and my family. It’s not worth it. I want toenjoy life instead of spending it in here.’ Terencehas been doing a welding course with a view togetting a job, and has asked for a mentor underNacro’s Milestones project: ‘It’ll be good to havesomeone to help you and listen to you, but notjudge you.’‘They are willing to ask for help ifthey think you’re genuine. They’redesperate to make amends. It’s just amatter of helping them to do that.’Milestones is based at Portland Young OffenderInstitution and surrounding areas, and is the thirdphase of a Nacro resettlement project funded by theMonument Trust and the Prison Service. The firstphase – On Side, launched in 1999 – focused on themost vulnerable young prisoners aged 15 to 17. In2002, when under-18s were moved out of the prison,Nacro launched the second phase of the project, OnSide 2, which worked with the most vulnerableyoung adults aged 18 to 21. In 2005, Nacro and thefunders decided to expand the reach of the previousprojects by involving volunteer mentors in theresettlement of young offenders aged 18 to 21.Milestones was born.The national reoffending rate for young people isvery high: over three-quarters of prisoners agedunder 21 are reconvicted within two years ofrelease. Nacro aims to reduce this level by providingthem with practical help and emotional supportwhen they leave prison and settle back into thecommunity. Volunteer mentor co-ordinator JohnBayley stresses the importance of offering ongoinghelp. ‘If a young person’s in a jam, and they oftenare, they can phone us and we’ll do what we can tosort the problem out. If they reoffend, we don’t justcast them aside. We work with them again. Thatsurprises them. Lads have said to me: “You stuckwith me even though I messed up.” Yes, we do.’One person he keeps in touch with is Will, who wasreleased from Portland earlier this year. While hewas inside, Will got along with the other inmatesby painting portraits of their babies fromsnapshots. Art materials were hard to come by, sohe had to make do with those to hand. ‘I wasscraping paint off the door and mixing it withwater and teabags to get a colour,’ he recalls. JohnBayley got him involved in the project, and offeredhim resettlement help, such as finding him20

somewhere to stay after he was released. Will nowlives at a young people’s hostel on the South Coast.He has kept up his painting and is looking to thefuture: ‘I want to be an art teacher,’ he says.Mentoring is about giving young offenders asteadying influence in their lives – something manyof them have never had before. John has beenimpressed by the number of people who want toplay this role, from undergraduates looking forexperience in their chosen field to older peoplewho want to give something back. He is looking formentors who are flexible, open-minded, and noteasily shocked. The prisoners, for their part,appreciate a mentor who is genuinely interested intheir wellbeing. Rob, another young prisonerinvolved with Milestones, says the mentors careabout people because ‘it’s not just a job to them’.Release from prison is crunch time for many youngoffenders, with practical problems like findingsomewhere to stay and emotional hurdles such asseeing their families. They must also decide howthey will conduct themselves. ‘The acid test is whatthey do on the first Saturday night,’ says John. ‘Willthey be out of it with a glass in their hand and fiveor six pints of lager already inside them, waiting forit to kick off outside the night club? Or will they stayat home and watch a film?’ Mentors are notchaperones, but they can help people stay away fromsituations where they might get back into trouble.John spends most of his working life among youngpeople who have offended, and he sees far more tothem than their crimes: ‘Lads this age keep you onyour toes. They are very honest in their way, andfunny people to be around. They don’t respond topeople who wag their fingers or talk down to them,because they’ve seen it all before. But if you takethe trouble to get to know them, you see theirvulnerability. They are willing to ask for help ifthey think you’re genuine. They’re desperate tomake amends. It’s just a matter of helping them todo that.‘Mentors can do so much. For example, a lot ofthese lads don’t read and write very well, so eventhough they might like to do a bricklaying course atcollege, they can’t face doing the application form.They think, “I’ll look like an idiot because I can’tspell” and they bottle out. They end up flippingburgers because they don’t like filling out forms.I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve sat withlads helping them with applications. It’s only fearthat holds them back. A mentor can get them pastthat by saying: “You can do this. Let’s give it acrack. If there are obstacles I’ll help you over them.”It’s so simple – just basic humanity, really.’ 21

Nacro Cymru‘Roedd Phillip yn casáu’r ysgol,’ medd y gweithiwrsgiliau sylfaenol Jayne Williams. ‘Aeth i ysgol Gymraeggyntaf, ac yna i ysgol Saesneg, a’i chael hi’n anoddiawnRoedd athrawon yn dweud wrtho ei fod yn dwp.’ Panddechreuodd fynychu prosiect sgiliau sylfaenol NacroCymru i droseddwyr, canfu un o’r gweithwyr fod ganPhillip ddiddordeb mewn cwn potsiwr. Fe roddodd hi lyfriddo amdanyn nhw ar yr amod ei fod yn dal i ddod i’rsesiynau. Fe wnaeth. Ers hynny, mae wedi bod yngweithio ar ei sillafu, a byddai’n hoffi cael gwaith mewncynelau. ‘Mae’r lle yma’n anhygoel,’ meddai, ‘dydy o ddimfel yr ysgol. Dwi’n ei ffeindio hi’n fwy diddorol i ddysgupethau, ac mae fy sillafu wedi gwella. Dydw i ddim ynteimlo’n dwp ddim mwy.’Mae’r prosiect sgiliau sylfaenol i droseddwyr, sydd wedi’ileoli yn y Rhyl, yn gweithio gydag oedolion sydd arddedfryd gymunedol neu ar gyfnod olaf dedfryd ogarchar yn y gymuned. Y gwasanaeth prawf sy’n eucyfeirio at y prosiect i ddechrau oherwydd bod eu sgiliausylfaenol yn ddiffygiol – yn syml, bod eu llythrenneddneu eu rhifedd yn is na’r hyn a ddisgwylir gan blentynsaith oed. Mae dysgu’r sgiliau hyn yn gyfrwng a diben: ygorau yw siawns rhywun o ddod o hyd i waith rheolaidda’i gadw, y lleiaf tebygol fydd o droseddu eto. Mae’nstrategaeth sy’n gweithio. Yng ngeiriau Steve Ray, PrifSwyddog Prawf Cynorthwyol Ardal Brawf Gogledd Cymru:‘Dwi’n credu bod hyfforddiant sgiliau sylfaenol Nacrowedi mynd yn dda iawn achos ei fod o ansawdd da acmae llawer o ymroddiad yno.’‘Dwi wedi dysgu llawer ac wediennill cymwysterau – dwi wrth fymodd. I’ve learnt a lot and gainedqualifications – I’m over the moon.’Mae Nacro Cymru, a sefydlwyd ym 1998, yn darparuaddysg, hyfforddiant a chyflogaeth, tai a gwasanaethauailsefydlu i gyn-droseddwyr ac i bobl ddifreintiedig yngNghymru, yn ogystal â chynnig gwasanaethauymgynghori ar gyfiawnder ieuenctid a diogelwchcymunedol i dimoedd troseddu ieuenctid lleol acasiantaethau eraill. Mae’i brosiectau Dewisiadau Ieuenctidsydd wedi’u lleoli ym Mae Colwyn, Wrecsam, Llangefni amannau eraill, yn helpu pobl ifanc i gael i mewn i addysga gwaith. Mae prosiectau tai Nacro Cymru ym Mangor,Dinbych, Caergybi a threfi eraill yng Ngogledd Cymru, yndarparu llety i bobl ddigartref.Yn y Rhyl, mae prosiect sgiliau sylfaenol Nacro Cymru idroseddwyr wedi rhoi cyfle newydd mewn bywyd i lawero bobl. Mae Jayne Williams yn sôn am ddynes oedd wediei chael yn euog o drosedd ddifrifol: ‘Mae hi’n gweithioerbyn hyn, wedi pasio ei phrawf gyrru, ac wedi gwneudyn arbennig o dda.’ Mae’n credu’n gryf nad yw hi byth ynrhy hwyr i ddechrau dysgu. Mae angen i Tony, sy’n eibumdegau canol, feistroli TG er mwyn derbyn cynnig owaith llawn amser mewn archfarchnad. Cyn cychwyngyda’r prosiect, doedd o ddim yn gwybod sut i droicyfrifiadur ymlaen, ond erbyn hyn, meddai Jayne, all hiddim ei lusgo oddi wrtho. ‘Mae’n adeiladu modelau ogychod,’ meddai, ‘y rhai maen nhw’n mynd allan i’whwylio ar lynnoedd. Fe ddwedais wrtho am deipio ‘modelboat’ ar Google, ac fe dreuliodd weddill y prynhawn yno.Roedd yn meddwl ei fod yn ardderchog.’ Mae Tony’ncytuno: ‘Dwi wedi dysgu llawer ac wedi ennillcymwysterau – dwi wrth fy modd.’ 22

‘Phillip hated school,’ says basic skills workerJayne Williams. ‘He went to a Welsh school first, andthen an English school, and found it really difficult.Teachers told him he was stupid.’ When he firstattended the Nacro Cymru offenders’ basic skillsproject, one of the workers found out that Phillip wasinterested in lurcher dogs. She gave him a book aboutthem on condition that he kept attending sessions. Hedid. Since then he has been working on his spelling,and would like to get a job in a kennels. ‘This place isamazing,’ he says, ‘it’s not like school. I’m finding itmore interesting to learn things, and my spelling hasimproved. I don’t feel stupid any more.’The offenders’ basic skills project, based in Rhyl,works with adults who are serving a communitysentence or the final part of a prison sentence in thecommunity. They are initially referred to the projectby the probation service because they lack basic skills– in short, literacy or numeracy below that expectedof a seven-year-old. Teaching these skills is a meansto an end: the better a person’s chance of finding andkeeping a steady job, the less likely they are tocommit more crimes. It’s a strategy that works. AsSteve Ray, Assistant Chief Probation Officer of theNorth Wales Probation Area, says: ‘I think Nacro’sbasic skills tuition has gone really well because it’shigh quality and there’s a lot of commitment.’Nacro Cymru, established in 1998, provideseducation, training and employment, housing, andresettlement services to ex-offenders anddisadvantaged people in Wales, as well as offeringyouth justice and community safety consultancyservices to local youth offending teams and otheragencies. Its Youth Choices projects, based atColwyn Bay, Wrexham, Llangefni and elsewhere,helps young people to get into education and work.Its housing projects, based at Bangor, Denbigh,Holyhead and other towns in North Wales, provideaccommodation for homeless people.In Rhyl, the Nacro Cymru offenders’ basic skillsproject has given many people a fresh start in life.Jayne Williams cites a woman who had beenconvicted of a serious offence: ‘Now she’s working,she’s passed her driving test, and she’s done reallywell.’ She firmly believes that it is never too late tostart learning. Tony, who is in his mid-fifties, needsto master IT so that he can take up the offer of afull-time job at a supermarket. Before he started atthe project, he didn’t know how to switch on acomputer, but now, Jayne says, she can’t drag himaway from it. ‘He builds model boats, you see – theones they take on the ponds. I got him to type‘model boat’ into Google, and he spent the rest ofthe afternoon on there. He thought it was absolutelysmashing.’ Tony concurs: ‘I’ve learnt a lot and gainedqualifications – I’m over the moon.’ 23

FinancesNacro summary accounts for 2004/05Summary of consolidated income and expenditureYear ended 31 March 20052005 2004£000 £000Incoming resourcesFrom operating activities tofurther our objectives* 59,006 60,021Interest and investments 28 36Total incoming resources 59,034 60,057Resources expendedCost of generating funds– fundraising (79) (77)Costs of activities (58,578) (60,804)Management and administration (340) (358)Total resources expended (58,997) (61,239)Net incoming/(outgoing) resourcesfor the year 37 (1,182)Other recognised gains and lossesNet investment gains 42 153Gain on revaluation of fixed assets - 777Net movement in funds 79 (252)Summary consolidated balance sheet31 March 20052005 2004£000 £000Fixed assetsTangible assets 3,544 3,811Investments 574 9984,118 4,809Current assetsStocks 16 11Debtors 7,856 8,689Cash 3,513 3,46911,385 12,169CreditorsAmounts falling due within one year (10,882) (12,406)Net current assets 503 (237)Total assets less current liabilities 4,621 4,572CreditorsAmounts falling due aftermore than one year (703) (733)Net assets 3,918 3,839FundsUnrestricted funds– General funds (175) 396*including all donations and legaciesRestricted funds 3,887 3,254Endowment funds 206 189Total funds 3,918 3,839Trustees’ statementThese summary financial statements are not the statutoryaccounts, but a summary relating to both the Statement ofFinancial Activities and the Balance Sheet. The financialstatements, from which the summary is derived, have beenaudited. The audit report was unqualified. The full annualreport and accounts were approved on 20 October 2005 andwill be filed with the Charity Commission and with theRegistrar of Companies. Copies may be obtained from NacroPublications, 169 Clapham Road, London SW9 0PU.Signed on behalf of the trustees Date: 20 October 2005Independent auditors’ statement tothe trustees of NacroWe have examined the summarised financial statements ofNacro.aware of any apparent misstatements or materialinconsistencies with the summarised financial statements.Our report has been prepared pursuant to the requirementsof the Companies Act 1985 and for no other purpose. Noperson is entitled to rely on this report unless such a personis a person entitled to rely upon this report by virtue of andfor the purpose of the Companies Act 1985 or has beenexpressly authorised to do so by our prior written consent.Save as above, we do not accept responsibility for this reportto any other person or for any other purpose and we herebyexpressly disclaim any and all such liability.Basis of opinionWe conducted our work in accordance with Bulletin 1999/6‘The auditors’ statement on the summary financialstatements’ issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use inthe United Kingdom.Respective responsibilities of trustees and auditorsThe trustees are responsible for preparing the summarisedfinancial statements in accordance with the recommendationsof the charities SORP.Our responsibility is to report to you our opinion on theconsistency of the summarised financial statements with thefull financial statements and trustees’ annual report. We alsoread the other information contained in the annual reportand consider the implications for our report if we becomeOpinionIn our opinion the summarised financial statements areconsistent with the full financial statements and trustees’annual report of Nacro for the year ended 31 March 2005.BDO STOY HAYWARD LLP Chartered Accountants andRegistered AuditorsEmerald House, East Street, Epsom, SurreyDate: 20 October 200524

Funders and donorsNacro receives grants and contracts from local authorities, learning and skills councils and local, regional andnational government departments and agencies. In addition, we receive generous donations of money, skills,equipment and time from individuals, charitable trusts and companies. We are extremely grateful for their support.Trusts and foundationsAdult and Community Learning Fund(managed by the Basic Skills Agency)Andrew Anderson TrustBarrow Cadbury TrustHubert Blake Charitable TrustWilliam Cadbury TrustBBC Children in NeedBT Community ConnectionsCE and MM Campin Charitable TrustCapital Radio Help a London ChildThomas Sivewright Catto CharitableSettlementR & SB Clark Charitable TrustClothworkers’ FoundationComic ReliefThe Community FundDebtors’ Relief Funds CharityThe Diana, Princess of WalesMemorial FundExpenditure49%Resettlement43%Crime reductionDulverton TrustThe Football FoundationPaul Hamlyn FoundationHartwell TrustAlbert Hunt TrustMichael and Shirley Hunt CharitableTrustKing’s FundKPMG FoundationBeatrice Laing TrustKirby Laing FoundationLankelly FoundationPeter Lathom’s CharityLattice FoundationLloyds TSB Foundation for Englandand WalesLady Lumley’s Educational FoundationMethodist Racial Justice Projects FundMonument TrustNorthern Rock FoundationCA Rodewald Charitable SettlementPearson Family Second SettlementThe Pilgrim TrustPrivy PurseAlbert Reckitt Charitable TrustThe Religious Society of FriendsRhododendron TrustSchroder Charity TrustSport EnglandSports ReliefThe Tolkien TrustTudor TrustTUUT Charitable TrustWestminster School CharitiesWestward Trust1970 Trust29th May 1961 Charitable TrustCompanies andbusinessesB&Q (You Can Do It Award)The Barclays Spaces for SportsschemeBSkyB (Community Investment Award)BTCanvey Supply Company LtdCattles plcCo-operative GroupEricssonGranadaGreat Portland Estates plcHBOS FoundationKPMGLattice Group plcMarks & SpencerNetwork RailNorwich UnionRolls Royce plcSecuricorTesco7%Criminal justice1%Fundraising, managementand compliance25

Boards and committeesAdvisory comNacro CouncilNacro’s Council is the governing body of the charity. Its members act asdirectors and trustees.Patron HM The QueenPresident Lord Navnit Dholakia of Waltham Brooks OBE JPVice President The Honourable Mrs Justice Dobbs DBEChair Anne Mace OBE Former Chief Probation Officer, West Yorkshire ProbationServiceVice Chair Paul Whitehouse QPM Chair, Gangmasters Licensing AuthorityHonorary Treasurer Paul Blagbrough Vice Chair, TU Fund Managers LtdFarida Anderson Chief Executive, Partners of Prisoners and Families SupportGroupRawle Beckles Business Development Manager, Alabaré Christian Care CentresJacqueline Blake Former Lead Housing Inspector, Audit CommissionAngela Camber JP Chair, The Griffins SocietyEmir Feisal Head of Finance, Sunday TimesDilly Gask OBE JP *Malcolm John Consultant in regenerationNicholas Long MBE Commissioner of the Independent Police ComplaintsCommissionAl’adin Maherali Chief Executive Officer, Accrescere LtdLinda McHugh Independent Member, Parole Board for England and WalesJenny Stevens Consultant in media, communications and advocacyCharles Waddicor Director for Social and Health Care, Oxfordshire CountyCouncilObserverJo Gordon Voluntary Sector Unit, National Offender Management ServiceNacro BoardChair Paul Cavadino Chief ExecutiveTim Bell Director of HousingAlan Carr Acting Director of Finance and Resources, Company SecretaryCraig Harris Director of Education and EmploymentVal Todd Director of Human ResourcesJackie Worrall Director of Community and Criminal JusticeNCE BoardNacro Community Enterprises Ltd (NCE) is a registered social landlord. Itproduces a separate annual report.Chair Mike Hindson Former Assistant Chief Probation Officer, GreaterManchester ProbationTreasurer Paul Blagbrough Vice Chair, TU Fund Managers LtdMike Beresford Consultant in social housing, business strategy andmanagementJacqueline Blake Former Lead Housing Inspector, Audit CommissionDilly Gask OBE JP *Clive Green Chief Executive, Zebra Housing AssociationSam Gyimah Managing Director, Clear-StoneMichael Hatfield JP (to March 2005)Gill Haymes Councillor, Nottingham City CouncilJohn King Former Head of Mortgages, Barclays BankLinda McHugh Independent Member, Parole Board for England and WalesChief Executive Tim Bell Director of Housing, NacroActing Company Secretary Alan Carr Acting Director of Finance and Resources,NacroNacro’s advisory committeesbring together experts,representatives of organisationsand government observers towork with us to develop nationalpolicy on aspects of crime andcriminal justice.Children andCrime AdvisoryCommitteeChair VacantRob Allen Director, InternationalCentre for Prison StudiesJanet Arkinstall Secretary,Criminal Law Committee, TheLaw SocietyIan Carter Representative,Association of Chief PoliceOfficers, Essex PoliceBarry Goldson Senior Lecturer inSociology, University of LiverpoolAnn Hagell Research DevelopmentAdviser, Nuffield FoundationNeal Hazel Lecturer inCriminology, University ofSalfordPam Hibbert Senior Policy Officer,Barnardo’sLindsay Meller Consultant inyouth justiceLisa Payne Principal Policy Officer,National Children’s BureauJoanne Sherlock Manager, YoungParents in Prison Project, PrisonReform TrustChris Stanley Head of PolicyDivision, Community andCriminal Justice, NacroMike Thomas Service Manager,Luton Youth Offending TeamKeith Towler Consultant incriminal justiceFrank Warburton Consultant indrugs and safetyTom Wylie Chief Executive,National Youth AgencyObserversJon Fayle Youth Justice BoardSimon Hickson Juvenile OffendersUnit, Home Office* Dilly Gask OBE died in November 2004. Please see tribute on page 5.26

mittees and reference groups 2004/05Mental HealthAdvisoryCommitteeChair Charles Waddicor Director forSocial and Health Care, OxfordshireCounty CouncilAnnie Bartlett Consultant ForensicPsychiatrist and Senior Lecturer inForensic Psychiatry, St George’sHospital Medical SchoolMichael Dewane Formerly of MentalHealth Legislation Branch,Department of HealthTim Exworthy Consultant ForensicPsychiatrist, Redford LodgePsychiatric HospitalSteve Gannon MBE Head of Healthcare,HMP HollowayMalcolm Jenkin Operational Director,London North, National ProbationServiceAndy Parker Detective Chief Inspector,Metropolitan PoliceWendy Start OBE MBE JP Member, MentalHealth Review Tribunal, FormerChair, Nottinghamshire ProbationBoardDavid Torpy Former ConsultantClinical and Forensic Psychologist,Fromeside ClinicLiz Wilson Deputy Justices’ Clerk,Reading and West BerkshireMagistrates’ CourtObserversSally Averill Crown Prosecution ServiceDavid Hillier Prison Health Policy UnitNigel Shackleford Mental Health Unit,Home OfficeThe Mental Health ReferenceGroup replaced the Mental HealthAdvisory Committee in January2005. As of April, the membershipremained the same except for thedeparture of Liz Wilson. ObserversRichard Jordan of the NationalInstitute for Mental Health in England,and Julian Gibbs of the Home OfficeMental Health Unit replaced DavidHillier and Nigel Shackleford.Race Issues Advisory CommitteeChair Lord Navnit Dholakia ofWaltham Brooks OBE JPVice Chair Beverley Thompson OBERace and Diversity Advisor, HMPrison ServiceMaqsood Ahmad Head of Police Raceand Diversity Policy, Home OfficeMike Ainsworth Stop and SearchAction Team, Home OfficeCommander Steve Allen Director,Metropolitan Police Service’sDiversity DirectorateJanet Arkinstall Secretary, CriminalLaw Committee, The Law SocietyDiane Baderin Head of Diversity,National Probation DirectorateGillian Barton (to September 2004)Head of Confidence and DiversityBranch, Department forConstitutional AffairsReeva Bell Chair, National Black CrownProsecutors’ AssociationClare Bridges MBE Chair, Training andDevelopment Committee, Justices’Clerks’ SocietyPaul Cavadino Chief Executive, NacroDeborah Coles Co-Director, InquestClaire Cooper Senior Policy Officer,Criminal Justice, Commission forRacial EqualityPeter Dunn Head of Research andDevelopment, Victim SupportMike Franklin Commissioner for NorthRegion, Independent PoliceComplaints CommissionLaurence Gouldbourne Head of Raceand Diversity Unit, MetropolitanPoliceChris Hume Director of Practice andPerformance, Youth Justice BoardAlan Hutchings (from September2004) Criminal Justice SystemConfidence Performance Manager,Department for ConstitutionalAffairsNick Jones Justices’ Chief Executive,West Mercia Magistrates’ CourtsServiceRaj Joshi Vice Chair, Society of BlackLawyersHis Honour Judge Geoffrey KamilNicholas Long MBE Commissioner ofthe Independent Police ComplaintsCommissionColin Moses National Chair, PrisonOfficers’ AssociationAbi Pointing Race and CriminalJustice Training OperationsManager, NacroSteve Porch Member, Diversity andEquality Group, HM Prison ServiceGrace Powell Chair, Association ofBlack Probation OfficersLynn Punter Race Issues AdviceOfficer, NacroDavid Reardon (to April 2005) Headof Criminal Justice System RaceUnit, Home OfficeJames Riches Race and CriminalJustice Policy Operations Manager,NacroNeena Samota Race and CriminalJustice Research Manager, NacroKulbir Shergill Head of EqualityStrategy, NacroEric Smellie MBE Consultant in racerelationsSeamus Taylor Director, Equality andDiversity, Crown ProsecutionServiceLinda Thornber (to May 2004) Chair,Race Issues Group, Magistrates’AssociationRobyn Williams QPM Lead StaffOfficer (Race and Diversity),Personnel, Training and Diversity,HM Inspectorate of ConstabularyYvette Williams Equality andDiversity Officer, CrownProsecution ServiceJackie Worrall Director of Communityand Criminal Justice, Nacro27

Vision, mission,commitment toequalityMissionNacro’s mission is to reduce crime by givingdisadvantaged people – both offenders and those atrisk of offending – a positive stake and place in oursociety.VisionNacro aims to create a safer, more inclusive societythat deploys its resources and skills to reduce thesocial causes of crime, and deals with offenders andex-offenders in ways that are most likely to stopreoffending, repair relationships and promoterehabilitation.Commitment to equalityNacro values the diverse nature of its staff and ofthose using our services. We aim to ensure that thisis reflected in all our practices, policies andservices. Our commitment to equality involves muchmore than positive action to promote equalopportunities and eradicate discrimination: it meansthat we are actively committed to encouraging andpromoting the richness brought to the organisationby the diverse nature of our staff and service users.A commitment to this policy is required of all Nacrostaff, trustees and service users.Staff in post September 2005Women % Men % Total %Asian 2.0 1.5 3.5Black 6.0 4.0 10.0Other 1.0 0.5 1.5White 50.5 31.0 81.5Undeclared 2.0 1.5 3.5100% =1,426 staff(61.5% women38.5% men)Nacro monitors staff using the 16 ethnic origin categoriesrecommended in the CRE Code of Practice, which have beenreduced to four categories here. For more detailed information,please contact Nacro’s Human Resources Directorate.To help Nacro change lives,call Pete Aldridge on020 7840 6430 or emailsupportnacro@nacro.org.uk28

We would like to thank the staff, volunteers and participants in the followingprojects for their help in compiling this review:Chelmsford Nacro Chelmsford Sport in the Community ProjectLondon Nacro Inner London Intensive Supervision and SurveillanceProgrammeMacclesfield Steps ProjectManchester Nacro Discus Project and Nacro East Manchester Sport in theCommunity ProjectMiddlesbrough Nacro Pyramid Prison and Community Resettlement ProjectNottingham Nacro Housing in NottinghamshirePeterborough Nacro Education and Employment Services and Nacro YouthActivities UnitDorset and Hampshire Nacro On Side and Nacro Milestones ResettlementProjectsRhyl Nacro Cymru Offenders’ Basic Skills Project and Nacro Night ShelterSandwell Nacro Education and Employment ServicesTelford Nacro Education and Employment ServicesThanks also to Alton Towers and Masons Cafe, MiddlesbroughEditorDesignerProductionPrinterPhotographerTranslatorKirsten SellarsAnna Donovan of Nacro Communications DepartmentNacro Communications DepartmentFolium Press Ltd www.folium.co.ukStuart Rayner www.stuartrayner.comCatrin Alun

Making a differenceNacro annual review 2004/05Nacro, the crime reduction charity, isdedicated to making society safer. We aim toreduce crime by giving offenders and thoseat risk of offending a positive stake insociety. This annual review describes howwe bring this about.