NICRO seek to prevent youth at risk from returning to a cycle of criminal activity

Lastly, Kim Saulse spoke to Arina Smit – Programme Manager at the National Institute for Crime Prevention and the Reintegration of Offenders or NICRO. NICRO runs various diversion programmes that seek to prevent youth at risk from returning to a cycle of criminal activity and to reintegrate them back into their communities. Instead of sending youth to prison for delinquency and breeding hardened criminals, NICRO gives the young offenders an alternative by way of completing a diversion programme that holds them accountable for their actions, nurtures their potential and encourages positive and constructive change. A study conducted by NICRO reveals that only "6.3% of young people re-offended in the first year after completion of the programme". They spoke about the diversion programs run to make it possible for troubled teens to be reintegrated into society. For more info contact NICRO on (021) 944 3980 – Bellville Office, (021) 397 6060 Mitchell’s Plain OR the Cape Town office on (021) 422 1690 alternatively their website on www.nicro.org.za