Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 40
40
Accepted
Paragraph: 215
Publish details of basic accommodation provision and how it considers specific needs of women
Recommendation
As important as service provision is, quality and appropriateness of accommodation is also important for female prison leavers. The Ministry of Justice should set out what the basic accommodation consists of (e.g. hostel spaces, hotels etc.) and how it has considered the specific needs of women in this accommodation offer.
Government Response Summary
The government accepted the recommendation, detailing that the community accommodation service uses private rented sector or short-term hotels, with 10% of provision in each region dedicated to single-gender usage for female prison leavers, and additional support through Women’s Commissioned Rehabilitation Service.
Paragraph Reference:
215
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
We accept this recommendation. The community accommodation service uses basic, private rented sector accommodation to provide up to 84 nights of temporary accommodation for all prison leavers who are at risk of being released homeless. In the event a bed space is not immediately available, or the accommodation need is very short-term, prison leavers can be accommodated in hotels for a short period of time, up to 14 nights, as a short-term holding arrangement before moving onto private rented provision. The service takes account of the needs of women with accommodation provision dedicated to single gender usage as required. CAS3 providers are required to ensure that 10% of their provision in each probation region is dedicated for supporting female prison leavers. Community Probation Practitioners, working together with local partners, are responsible for ensuring that vulnerable female prison leavers receive appropriate support and are provided with housing beyond the 12 weeks’ temporary accommodation. Community Probation Practitioners have access to additional support for women through the Women’s Commissioned Rehabilitation Service. This provision is a holistic service offer, delivered by expert and experienced women’s services, that covers a broad range of interventions including accommodation support.