Housing ex‐prisoners: the role of the third sector

Abstract

PurposeThe aim of the paper is to examine the contribution made by housing‐related third sector organisations (TSOs) in assisting ex‐prisoners to find housing, and the barriers they face in doing so.Design/methodology/approachAn offender survey was used to measure awareness of and engagement with TSOs in eight prisons, alongside qualitative interviews with prisoners, criminal justice staff and TSO representatives.FindingsDespite the involvement of TSOs, securing accommodation for ex‐prisoners remains complex and difficult, largely due to high service demand, housing shortages, budget cuts, and needs assessment and allocations systems which reduce the responsiveness of housing providers to the reducing re‐offending agenda.Research limitations/implicationsThe research benefited from a mixed‐method approach which captured the perceptions of service users and professionals. The response rate for the offender survey was low (12 per cent), and the survey findings should be treated with caution.Practical implicationsLocal authorities and other housing providers need to be more willing to accept ex‐prisoners as potential service users, and better links need to be made between local homelessness strategies, choice based lettings systems and prisoner resettlement programmes. Providing support services to ex‐offenders may encourage such acceptance and help to maintain the motivation to desist from crime.Originality/valuePrevious research has paid little specific attention to the role of TSOs in (ex)offender housing. This paper addresses this omission by drawing on original empirical research to examine the value of their work in securing accommodation for ex‐prisoners and helping to reduce re‐offending.

Avenues of Opportunity: Journeys of Activities Through Third Sector Organisations

“…A number of authors have discussed the role of TSOs in relation to ex-prisoners. Some have considered how TSOs support those released from prison who have immediate needs such as housing (Mills et al, 2013;Ellison et al, 2013) or require help with physical and psychological issues such as self-harming behaviours (National Institute for Health Research UK, 2020). Others have explored how TSOs are involved in assisting older or younger individuals, or those with learning difficulties (Forsyth et al, 2017;Acar & Tekin, 2011;Kelly et al, 2012).…”

A place to call home: perspectives on offender community reintegration

“…crime" (Shelter, 2010:1). Alongside this, enabling access to a range of services to facilitate the reintegration process; inclusive of employment, drug abuse treatment and allowing the chance for the formation of stable relationships (NOMS, 2006;Mills et al, 2013).…”

“…Reintegration, which is defined as abstaining from criminal activity and engaging in a socially productive and responsible life (Ward & Maruna, 2007), is an active process (Mills et al, 2013). It is influenced by the role of human agency (Maruna, 2001) in which offenders must conceive personal change as possible, be willing to change their offending behaviour (Davis, Bahr and Ward, 2012) and possess the motivation to refrain from reoffending (Mills et al, 2013). The role of agency is essential in creating 'turning points' (Sampson & Laub, 1993) for offenders which involves the offender as seeing themselves differently compared to their past behaviours (Davis, Bahr and Ward, 2012).…”

“…Permanent stable accommodation suitably located to facilitate reintegration is important to provide the stability to address offending behaviour and is viewed as the “cornerstone for beginning a life free from crime” (Shelter, 2010, p. 1). Alongside this, enabling access to a range of services to facilitate the reintegration process; inclusive of employment, drug abuse treatment and allowing the chance for the formation of stable relationships (National Offender Management Service, 2006; Mills et al , 2013).…”

“…Reintegration, which is defined as abstaining from criminal activity and engaging in a socially productive and responsible life (Ward and Maruna, 2007), is an active process (Mills et al , 2013). It is influenced by the role of human agency (Maruna, 2001) in which offenders must conceive personal change as possible, be willing to change their offending behaviour (Davis et al , 2012) and possess the motivation to refrain from reoffending (Mills et al , 2013).…”