Research shows that those who are homeless or in
temporary accommodation are significantly more likely
to reoffend within a year than those with a stable
place to live.
The pilots are aimed specifically at prisoners serving
short sentences who are at high risk of returning to
prison. This represents the latest in a series of
measures aimed at breaking the cycle of reoffending,
from improving prisoners’ employment prospects to
reinforcing family ties.
The sites will pilot a new partnership approach between
prisons, local authorities, probation staff, charities
and others who will work together to provide the
support prisoners need when they are released – such as
signing up for benefits – but will primarily be focused
on finding them suitable accommodation.
The two-year programme forms part of the Government’s
£100m Rough Sleeping Strategy announced over the
summer.
Justice Secretary said:
These ground-breaking pilots will help prevent rough
sleeping among vulnerable ex-offenders and support
them as they start a new life after prison.
As well as ensuring people have somewhere to live,
dedicated key worker support will help ex-offenders
manage the practical challenges of finding a job and
other issues that come with trying to reintegrate
into society.
Every time we help an ex-prisoner into a new life -
with a stable home, strong relationships and a
regular job - we increase the chances of seeing fewer
victims of crime in the future.
Housing benefit top ups and rental deposits will ensure
that accommodation will be provided from the day
offenders leave prison, bolstered through wrap around
support from key workers to address other needs which
may normally cause the loss of a tenancy, such as
attending appropriate probation and employment
appointments.
MP, Minister for
Housing and Homelessness said:
When leaving custody, ex-offenders should all have a
safe and suitable home to go to and there is work to
be done to ensure this is the case.
These pilots will prove pivotal to our understanding
of the situation and to inform any future
accommodation provision. This will help improve the
outcomes for ex-offenders across the country.
Once the trial has completed, it will be fully
evaluated to assess the potential for the scheme to be
rolled out more widely across England. We will also be
working with the Welsh Government to deliver a similar
accommodation solution.
The Rough Sleeping
Strategy was launched in August 2018 and sets
out to halve rough sleeping on England’s streets by
2022 and end it altogether by 2027. It is backed by an
additional £100 million and developed across government
in conjunction with charities and experts.
The strategy lays out a 3-pronged approach to tackling
rough sleeping, including preventing rough sleeping by
providing timely support, intervening to help people
already on the streets get swift, targeted support and
helping people recover, find a new home quickly and
rebuild their lives.
