y3JU3O8y
type: Answer
type: WrittenAnswer
answer has question: J9csnut7
answer has answering person: SWXSOmi9
answer text: We recognise that it is vital that everyone leaving prison has somewhere safe and secure to live as a platform to access the services and support needed to during this difficult period. In response to the current unprecedented emergency, the Government is releasing risk- assessed prisoners who are within two months of their release date from prison, as part of the national plan to protect the NHS and save lives. Additionally, pregnant women and those with their babies in prison are considered for Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL) under the Special Purpose Licence (SPL) provisions, subject to individual risk assessment. Our intention is to make sure that no prisoner will be released without housing and health support being in place. Her Majesty Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) have set up seven Homelessness Prevention Taskforces (HPTs) to coordinate the sourcing of accommodation for those offenders released early, in order to ensure no offender is released early without accommodation in place. Approximately £3 to £5m funding has been made available to support the HPTs to secure accommodation for those released through this scheme without suitable accommodation to return to. Since our announcement regarding the plans to temporarily release individuals within two months of their planned conditional release date, we have been working hard to create a wider scheme that is deliverable, sustainable and that would provide the best outcomes for prison leavers while ensuring the public is protected. Government has now decided that because of public health and public protection considerations, there is a need to provide accommodation for a larger cohort of prison leavers. The Ministry of Justice has secured appropriate funding for a time-limited period to support the provision of accommodation for all individuals released from prison during this period, who are at risk of homelessness. Whilst this scheme is an immediate response to support prison leavers at risk of homel…
answer given date: 2020-06-19+01:00
answer has answering body: BRTNQywN
written answer has answering body: BRTNQywN