Throughcare: Voluntary Assistance Service

This service provides advice, guidance and assistance to prisoners, before and after their release, in order to facilitate their reintegration into the community and reduce the risk of further offending.

What does the service offer?

Sacro offers prisoners and their families the opportunity to discuss their plans for release and can provide support with issues such as accommodation, drug/alcohol use, health benefits etc. Volunteers will also provide advice and support to help deal with offending behaviour and rehabilitation.

Support can be provided for up to a year following release from prison.

How does the service work?

Sacro volunteers will visit the prisoner, prior to release, to help plan their reintegration into the community and set up access to any support services they may need. Focussed session work is provided to help deal with resettlement and reduce the likelihood of reoffending.

Sacro volunteers will also be available to the service user, and their family, following release to deal with any difficulties they may be facing in their new environment.

Regular liaison with police and other professionals is maintained to assist with the assessment and management of risk in the community.

Who is the service aimed at?

The service is available to prisoners, serving fewer than four years, who feel they may encounter difficulty resettling into the community following release.

How is the service accessed?

The service is entirely voluntary and can be requested directly by the prisoner or via their social worker or other professional.