Niacro Welcomes PAC Findings, Urges Strategic, Long-Term Collaboration to Address Reoffending in Northern Ireland

Niacro welcomes the publication of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report Reducing Adult Reoffending in Northern Ireland and commends the Committee for its clear call to action. As a long-standing organisation committed to reducing crime and its impact, Niacro fully supports the Committee’s emphasis on cross-government collaboration, outcomes-focused investment, and sustained support for trauma-informed rehabilitation programmes.

Rachel Long, Director of Operations at Niacro, said:

“The PAC report acknowledges what we see every day in our work - that people are not defined by their convictions, and with the right support, they can move forward. But that support must be consistent, properly resourced, and embedded across the justice system and beyond. We stand ready to work with all partners to turn this report’s recommendations into meaningful outcomes.”

We particularly welcome the Committee’s recognition of the Voluntary and Community Sector’s critical role in reaching people failed by short-term solutions. Multi-year funding - identified as a priority by the Committee - is essential to deliver wraparound services that reduce reoffending and promote long-term stability.

Through practical services such as SkillSET, Transitions, and Family Links, Niacro supports over 7,000 people each year across areas like employability, housing, addiction, financial stability and family connection. Independent evaluations demonstrate the effectiveness of these interventions: for example, one legacy programme showed a significant reduction in reoffending rates, from 32% to 20% within one year.

The PAC report’s recommendations around sentencing reform, Enhanced Combination Orders, and expanding rehabilitative support in prison echo Niacro’s own policy submissions. These measures, alongside bail support and restorative justice approaches, are vital components of a modernised, people-centred justice system.

As the Department of Justice leads on a new cross-departmental strategy under the Programme for Government, Niacro urges ministers to embed measurable outcomes and lived experience at the heart of this work. Coordinated leadership across departments - from health and housing to education and the economy - will be pivotal in reducing reoffending and advancing a safer, fairer society for all.

Download our full submission to the Public Accounts Committee here