Faith-based intervention to tackle crime

What is a "Noms"? It's the National Offender Management Service, the primary purpose of which is to reduce offending. In order to achieve that purpose and reach its targets, Noms works with agencies in the public, voluntary and private sectors. One of its growing alliances is with faith-based organisations, as demonstrated in a consultation paper on the roles that these organisations play in contributing to a reduction in reoffending among both adults and children.

How can faith-based groups help? The government identifies seven strategic pathways that are central to tackling and reducing involvement in crime: accommodation; education, training and employment; health; drugs and alcohol; children and families of offenders; attitudes, thinking and behaviour; and finance, benefits and debt. Faith-based organisations such as the YMCA, the Feltham Community Chaplaincy Trust or the Quaker's Circles of Support and Accountability can provide very practical support with education, training and accommodation, as well as befriending and pastoral care. Services and support provided can be "non-faith", but the volunteers themselves become involved in this work because of their beliefs and values.