Niacro

NIACRO's vision is to be acknowledged as making a unique contribution to the development of a society in which the rights and needs of everyone, including offenders, are equally respected.

Mission Statement

We work to reduce crime and its impact on people and communities.

Values

Justice: We believe that everyone in society, including offenders and victims, have the right to be treated fairly.

Dignity: We respect and value the worth of every individual.

Citizenship: We recognise members of society have both rights and responsibilities.

Non-violence: We recognise that violence and the threat of violence still permeate many communities and stakeholder groups in Northern Ireland.

Accountability: We will be accountable for all aspects of our work.

For more information about NIACRO - you can download copies of our latest Corporate Plan and Annual Report from the links below:

Corporate Plan 2009-2012

Annual Report 2009/2010

History

NIACRO began in November 1968 when a group of people met in Belfast to consider the possibilities of setting up an organisation to "work for the welfare of the offender". Three years later, the Northern Ireland Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders began its work. Its grant from Government was £3,000 and there were two staff. Now our turnover is £3,500,000 and there are almost 100 staff.

Right from the start the organisation relied on the help of volunteers, and we now have over 100.

2005 marked a real milestone with the move to our own purpose-built, centrally located building in Belfast's Amelia Street. We also have an office in Derry/Londonderry and some of our projects work out of premises in Armagh. We also operate in Magilligan Prison and Hydebank Wood Prison and Young Offenders Centre, where we work with prisoners and also run the visitors centres.

We work with service users in their own environments, including prison, pooling our skills and resources with other voluntary and statutory agencies. We also operate in all three prisons - Maghaberry, Magilligan and Hydebank Wood - including running the Visitors Centres in Magilligan and Hydebank.