Serving prisoners
We regularly support serving prisoners through our Prisoner Support Service at HMP Grendon, HMP Springhill , HMP/YOI Aylesbury and intermittently in HMP Woodhill.
A BACO Prisoner Support Volunteer works in each of the prisons assessing the grant applications. Some grants do not cover the full cost of the course but they make a substantial contribution towards it and “being part way there”, attracts further funders and gives the prisoner confidence to make further applications.
We work closely with the prison finance departments and are aware of the financial background of each applicant using the secure email system. Few prisoners have resources of their own; work in prison pays an average salary of £10 per week. A successful request to BACO to help with some essential items can help to bring about a change in attitude, adding to self-esteem and self-worth.
Prison Leavers
BACO works the National Probation Service through their offices in Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes.
All grant applications are made to the BACO Grants Administrator using the secure Ministry of Justice (MOJ) system from the Offender Manager or Probation Officer for processing and approval by BACO. The Managers/Officers should be of the view that the grant will help the client to make progress in their return to life outside a secure establishment and the grant will contribute to their rehabilitation, help to change their attitude and to prevent re-offending.
Applications can be made towards the cost of the following:
- Trade/college courses
- Trade tools , painting/decorating, barbering = self employment
- Full driving licences
- Identity cards, citizen cards, birth certificates
- CSCS cards (Construction Skills Certification Scheme), health and safety requirement needed for anyone wanting to pick up labouring on a building site
- Subsistence – to bridge the gap between release and receiving benefits
- Essentials for household set up
- Travel costs to work
- Deposit for accommodation/rent arrears
- Essential items of clothing for work interviews.
Clothing
- Including replacement of that lost at time of arrest
- For those in Residential Rehabilitation
- For families including childrens’ schoolwear
- For interviews
