Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 41
41
Accepted
Paragraph: 216
Effective accommodation support for women requires a joint, cross-government strategy
Recommendation
We recognise that accommodation is an issue that sits not only within the remit of the MoJ—it requires joint working across Government departments, local authorities, third sector organisations etc to achieve effective change. The Ministry of Justice should develop a cross-department strategy to address the accommodation needs of women in the criminal justice system. The strategy should detail different Women in Prison 81 departments’ responsibilities and how work will be conducted across government to respond to the accommodation needs of women in the criminal justice system.
Government Response Summary
The government rejected the recommendation, stating a cross-department strategy is already being delivered through the Prison Strategy White Paper and Beating Crime Plan, which include ensuring no one is released homeless and specific support for women's accommodation needs.
Paragraph Reference:
216
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
We do not accept this recommendation because this is already being delivered through other means. The Ministry of Justice, working together with Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), Welsh Government and Other Government Departments, is delivering its strategic vision for reducing reoffending (as detailed in the Prison Strategy White Paper and Beating Crime Plan) and delivering against the Government’s manifesto commitment to eliminate rough sleeping by the end of the current Parliament (Ending Rough Sleeping for Good). This approach was set out in the Prisons Strategy White Paper and a key part of this is to ensure that no one who is subject to probation supervision is released from prison homeless. Part of this work includes plans for supporting women with accommodation needs on release, including ensuring that 10% of beds in the temporary accommodation service are allocated to women in women-only properties so that they feel safe, while increasing the number of women categorised to open conditions and reviewing the use of ROTL to smooth the transition back to society.