News / HMP Bristol
Bristol prison to pilot ‘trailblazing’ rough sleeping programme
Former prisoners who are homeless or living in temporary accommodation are significantly more likely to reoffend, according to research by the Ministry of Justice.
In a bid to break this cycle, HMP Bristol is to pilot a “trailblazing” new programme aimed at helping vulnerable ex-offenders find and stay in stable accommodation.
The Horfield men’s lock-up is one of three in the country chosen to spearhead the £6m pilot initiative that will target people finishing short sentences who are at high risk of returning to prison.
is needed now More than ever
Under the programme, funding for stable accommodation will be provided for ex-prisoners for up to two years, with additional support to help them integrate back into communities in the long term.
Homelessness or lack of stable accommodation is one of the biggest causes of re-offending
Announcing the funding last week, justice secretary David Gauke 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.”
According to research conducted by the Ministry of Justice, 60 per cent of prisoners believe that having a place to live is important in stopping them from reoffending in the future and almost 40 per cent state that they would need help finding a place to live when they were released.
The Government says that a new partnership approach between the prison, council, probation staff, charities and others will see teams work together to provide the support prisoners need when they are released, such as signing up for benefits.
It will primarily be focused on finding suitable housing, with housing benefit top ups and rental deposits to ensure that accommodation will be provided from the day offenders leave prison.
In April, Bristol City Council became the first local authority in the country to ‘ban the box’ – a move described as a huge step in reducing re-offending.
The aim is to remove employment barriers facing people with criminal convictions by taking out the tick box on job applications that requires applicants to declare this information.
Bristol, Pentonville and Leeds prisons will pilot the two-year rough sleeping programme and 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.
Read more: Bristol City Council ‘bans the box’ to remove barriers for people with criminal convictions.
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