Prisoners

HC Deb 23 June 1986 vol 100 cc36-7W

Mr. Bermingham

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners on their release were found accommodation in approved hostel schemes or approved landlady schemes in 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984 and 1985, respectively.

Mr. Mellor

This information is not available in the form requested. The numbers of prisoners released on parole and life licences who were accommodated in approved probation hostels were as follows:

Year	Number
1980	65
1981	114
1982	136
1983	137
1984	179
1985	271

Mr. Bermingham

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received asserting a link between homelessness and released prisoner reoffending or breaking the conditions of their parole licences; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Mellor

None recently. In its annual report for 1985, the Parole Board has drawn attention to Home Office research bulletin 20 "Housing for the homeless offender: key findings from a literature review" by Dr. M. N. P. Ramsay (1986). Accommodation for released offenders is available through the Home Office after-care accommodation scheme which currently funds some 320 projects providing about 4,500 places for offenders. In addition, places in approved probation hostels may be made available to persons who on release from custody are subject to supervision by the probation service, and who are in need of special support for a short period.

Mr. Bermingham

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners on their release from prison were unable to find any accommodation in 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1984, respectively.

Mr. Mellor

This information is not available. The Home Office has no responsibility to provide accommodation for discharged prisoners. However, a discharge grant is paid to eligible prisoners to ensure that they have sufficient money on release for their immediate needs. This replaces and broadly equates with the supplementary benefit which could otherwise be claimed for the first week after release. A higher rate of grant is payable to those prisoners who have no home to return to and need to have rented accommodation arranged prior to release.