From Custody to Community – How to overcome the challenges we face Laura Bugby

1. From Custody to Community – How to overcome the challenges we face Laura Bugby Nacro Services Manager

2. Aims Overview of Accommodation services delivered in West Midlands prisons Barriers and Challenges that offenders and practitioners come up against Possible solutions, how we can work together to prevent offenders being released from custody with no accommodation

3. Prisons Nacro work within HMYOI Brinsford - Wolverhampton Holds young male adults between the ages of 18-21yrs who are remanded and sentenced. HMP Hewell - nr Redditch, Worcestershire Holds male adults from the age of 21 yrs and upwards who are remanded and sentenced. HMP Shrewsbury - Shropshire Holds male adults from 21 years and upwards who are sentenced. HMP & YOI Stoke Heath - nr Market Drayton, Shropshire Holds male adults from 18 years and upwards who are remanded and sentenced. HMYOI Swinfen Hall - Lichfield, Staffordshire Hold young male adults from 18-25yrs and upwards who are sentenced.

4. Overview of service Reception Initial screening is completed within a week of arrival. This covers two areas: Accommodation situation before custody and anticipated situation for release. Those identified with an immediate housing need will be seen within two weeks of reception. With the prisoner’s consent we will commence advocacy in an attempt to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.

5. Interim work completed Remanded Prisoners Monitor custodial status on a weekly basis Inform accommodation providers of any changes in custodial status Sentenced Prisoners with more than 6 months before release Rent re-payment options Provide housing assistance upon request

6. 6-3 months before release In-depth interview with offender Referrals to relevant Local Authorities and accommodation providers Referrals to relevant support agencies Arrange interviews One week before release Rule in/out any potential options for release Identify any temporary accommodation available and pursue where possible

7. Day of release Released between 8.30am & 10.30am Offenders must make their own way from the gate to public transport Attend first probation appointment Attend any housing appointments made Attend any other appointments made e.g. DWP, DIP

8. Challenges Offender movement between establishments and sentences of less than 12 months – Timeliness of information exchange & decisions Willingness of Local Authorities & accommodation providers to conduct interviews prior to release Distance of prisons from release areas Availability of accommodation on the day of release Offenders failing to attend appointments arranged Availability of offender specific accommodation - risk

9. Solutions Fast Track referral form to improve information exchange and encourage decisions prior to release Interim accommodation to bridge gaps between release and room availability Ability to refer to emergency accommodation 24hrs before release to reduce street homelessness on night of release Through the gate services to ease transition from custody to community Tenancy courses to broaden housing options

10. Any Questions? Contact details: Email: laura.bugby@hmps.gsi.gov.uk laura.bugby@nacro.org.uk Mobile 07920 571 588