Ex-prisoners ‘struggling to find accommodation’

Freedom for Life Ministries and the Prison Service say in ‘rare cases’ options are limited for released inmates or they have nowhere to go.

Inmate Colin Trenear (49), who was sentenced to 12 months for grave and criminal assault, was due to be released on Friday.

When he spoke to the JEP last week he said he had no accommodation arranged. He claimed he had been told by the Freedom for Life Ministries – which tries to find beds for released ex-inmates in places such as Sanctuary House and the Shelter Trust – that nowhere was available.

Asked what his plan was when he left La Moye, he said: ‘To be honest, I am going to head to town and find somewhere to put my bag down and go from there.’

Kevin Houiellebecq, managing director of Freedom for Life Ministries, said Mr Trenear’s example is a ‘worst-case scenario’.

‘If someone wants to resettle in the community they need a secure place. It creates anxiety if they don’t and it does not help when they are released.

‘Trying to find accommodation for ex-inmates is an increasing problem in the summer.’

A financial aid scheme is available to prisoners which supplies them with a small amount of cash to travel from the prison and pay for a bed-and-breakfast if needed.

Twice a month an event called the ‘Market Place’ is held at La Moye, where agencies such as Income Support, the Shelter Trust, Grace Trust and Jersey Citizens Advice come in to talk to inmates about plans for their release.

Bill Millar, HMP La Moye governor, said: ‘In the vast majority of cases something is organised before release. However, there are some very difficult cases where the options are extremely limited.

‘The difficulty ex-offenders have in accessing social housing is recognised.’

Brian Heath, chief probation officer, said all prisoners were offered a probation officer to work with through and after their sentence.

‘The great majority of prisoners accept this service,’ he said. ‘One or two refuse. Accommodation is hard to find in July and August but to date everyone we work with has had an accommodation offer to go to on release.’

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