HACRO - Hertfordshire Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders

HACRO aims to:

• encourage informed opinion relating to crime
• be a source of support to those working with offenders in all settings
• be alive to current issues of public concern
• work with offenders to prevent re-offending

HACRO has been working in Hertfordshire since 1974 in association with the statutory authorities and voluntary organisations.

HACRO’s current projects providing practical support include:

• Resettlement grants for offenders after release from prison
• Initial implementation of a ‘Caring Dads’ programme to help abusive fathers / partners

Services at HMP The Mount include:

• Tea bar for visitors
• Minibus to Hemel station for visitors
• Recruitment and screening of volunteers to work at the prison
• Children’s play area in the visiting hall
• Sessions of the “Fathers Inside” programme to help prisoners learn to play with their children

HACRO is developing an extended ‘Meet at the Gate’ service for offenders returning to Hertfordshire who fall outside the current support provided by other organisations.

At HMP The Mount HACRO volunteers can work in many areas of the prison including the include family support in the visitors centre; looking after children during prison visits in the play area; pastoral work in the Chaplaincy; assisting in workshops and with training of prisoners in a variety of building skills; helping prisoners with their education, particularly basic literacy and; training in business skills, and providing business mentoring, research and preparation for prisoners’ business plans; preparing CV’s and help with job search; preparing prisoners for resettlement; providing support to library staff and prisoners in using the service; support for the prison’s drug rehabilitation service; professional counselling; prison visiting and befriending; sports training support by qualified instructors; driving a mini bus to take visiting families back to Hemel Hempstead station; helping in the gardens; development of community links and various admin positions.

HACRO contributes to debate on Criminal Justice issues through our AGM, which is attended by civic leaders, representatives of the police, judiciary, probation and other criminal justice practitioners. The AGM features national level speakers on themes such as penal policy, restorative justice and offender management. HACRO also sits on a number of committees and working parties in the county relating to criminal justice issues.

We also publish an annual newsletter as well as the Annual Report. They include information about HACRO’s activities and personalities as well as contributions of topical local interests.

HACRO is constantly looking to seek new ways to support its aims.

Registered charity number: 268835r