18 June 2007
A new bail accommodation and support service is to be introduced by the National Offender Management Service to enable the courts and prison governors to make greater use of bail and early release on a strict curfew.
A new bail accommodation and support service is to be introduced today (Monday 18 June) by the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) to enable the courts and prison governors to make greater use of bail and early release on a strict curfew.
The scheme is a response to surveys undertaken by NOMS that identified a need from sentencers for additional bail accommodation for defendants who could otherwise be bailed if accommodation was made available.
The accommodation which will be developed between now and November, will allow the appropriate use of bail for low risk, adult defendants in custody who are currently unable to provide a bail address or who could not be bailed without support. The accommodation will also be available for those who could be released on Home Detention Curfew but are not, due to a lack of suitable accommodation.
The accommodation will be in community settings with up to four people sharing. The mix in each property will be carefully managed and single gender.
Support will be provided by trained staff giving three one hour contact sessions in the first week of occupancy and at least one hour per week during the person's time in the bail accommodation. Through these contact sessions a support officer will help the individual to comply with the conditions of bail, to maintain the 'tenancy' and address any offending-related needs, in part through engaging existing specialist public and voluntary services as appropriate. Help in finding more stable accommodation will also be given.
It is anticipated that a typical stay will be seven weeks, however, this may be extended where necessary. For those released on Home Detention Curfew the stay will be 11 weeks on average. Behaviour will be monitored, with breach procedures initiated as necessary.
This service is being provided on a regional basis by ClearSprings Ltd, an ISO 9001 company and accredited provider of Supporting People service, providing housing and support to vulnerable people. A booking service is provided by ClearSprings for operational staff in courts and prisons to make arrangements for accommodation and/or support.
Notes to Editors
1. For more information please contact Ilana Conn 020 7210 1473 or Joanna Jacobson 020 7210 8668
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