Housing: Prisoners' Release

Ministry of Justice written question – answered at on 1 March 2022.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Kate Osamor Kate Osamor Labour/Co-operative, Edmonton

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what his Department's definition is of a satisfactory accommodation outcome for women released from prison.

Photo of Kit Malthouse Kit Malthouse Minister of State (Ministry of Justice and Home Office)

The challenges facing women released from prison seeking accommodation are fully recognised. Our Prisons Strategy white paper sets out our vision that no-one subject to probation supervision, including female offenders, is released from prison homeless.

To achieve this, HMPPS launched a new transitional accommodation service providing up to 12 weeks accommodation and support for those leaving prison at risk of homelessness. The service was initially launched last July in five probation areas in England. By 2024-5, we will spend £200m per year to reduce reoffending, including expanding the provision to support the thousands of people, male and female, across England and Wales who leave prison each year without accommodation. The service takes account of the needs of women with accommodation provision dedicated to single gender usage as required.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) launched their Accommodation for Ex-Offenders (AFEO) scheme on 28 July 2021 to support offenders at risk of homelessness into private rental tenancies. Overall, this financial year, £13 million has been allocated to 87 schemes across 145 local authorities. Combined with our temporary accommodation service, this builds a pathway from prison to settled accommodation.

Does this answer the above question?

Yes1 person thinks so

No1 person thinks not

Would you like to ask a question like this yourself? Use our Freedom of Information site.

Secretary of State

Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

White Paper

A document issued by the Government laying out its policy, or proposed policy, on a topic of current concern.Although a white paper may occasion consultation as to the details of new legislation, it does signify a clear intention on the part of a government to pass new law. This is a contrast with green papers, which are issued less frequently, are more open-ended and may merely propose a strategy to be implemented in the details of other legislation.

More from wikipedia here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_paper