Kenny MacAskill MSP officially opened Sacro’s new national office in Edinburgh on Wednesday 24 February 2010.

Sacro’s national office acts as an administrative base for the 70 plus services it delivers across Scotland.

After unveiling a commemorative plaque, Mr MacAskill spent over an hour talking with Sacro staff, Board members and service users. He said: “Sacro play an important role in Scotland’s justice system, undertaking fantastic work right across the country to make our communities safer. This new national office will be a central hub of co-ordination for the many services they provide to the community and will help the organisation go from strength to strength. If we are to stop offenders in their tracks and pull them away from a life of crime, we need organisations like Sacro who have a proven ability of helping offenders turn their backs on their previous ways.”

Sacro’s Chief Executive, Tom Halpin said: “I very much welcome and appreciate Mr MacAskill’s support for what we do and stand for as an organisation. Visits such as this recognise the important role Sacro and other voluntary sector partners have to play in Scotland’s justice system.

“A strong, independent voluntary sector brings great value to a society where it can challenge, innovate and develop new thinking and new ways of working. As an established organisation, we are adapting to changes in the economic and social climate to ensure we remain fit for purpose and fully prepared to meet future challenges. Our experience, our ability to adapt quickly to circumstances and the national infrastructure we have in place, puts Sacro in an ideal position to play an important role in carving out a new and effective justice system for Scotland”.