This section gives details about work in probation Approved Premises. There are five approved premises (hostels) in Thames Valley. We also use similar facilities provided by our colleagues in other areas. Approved premises in the Thames Valley are used for the placement of offenders on bail, those subject to community sentence or following release from prison.
- They have been ordered to do so by the courts as a condition of bail
or
- It is a requirement of a community sentence because the court believes that they need more supervision or a settled address
or
- It is a condition of their post-release prison licence.
Offenders living in approved premises accommodation are not free to come and go as they please but have to follow strict rules including a curfew, usually from 11pm to 7am.
Approved premises are staffed round the clock.
Staff are in close contact with
- the police
- residents
- the local community.
Approved premises staff have a wealth of experience and training. They have an opportunity to influence positive change with offenders and prevent re-offending.
People living in approved premises have to comply with other requirements of Community Orders or licences such as attending groupwork programmes, training projects and other court order/ licence conditions such as no contact with victims or reporting to the local police station.
An approved premises is a good stepping stone for a prisoner released back into the community for three reasons:
- It offers structure, stability and assists with rehabilitation
programmes.
- It offers accommodation and time for careful planning
of suitable, permanent accommodation for the resident
elsewhere in the community.
- It offers added protection to the public from offenders who
may have committed high risk offences.
Probation staff are also responsible for preparing bail information reports which assess an offender’s suitability for bail and for arranging placements at probation approved premises (formerly known as probation hostels).
 The National Association of Probation and Bail Hostels (NAPBH)
The national organisation which aims to support and promote all probation and bail hostels approved by the Home Office.
For further details please contact:
Mike Short
Director General Secretary
NAPBH
PO Box 13682
Cradley Heath
B62 2DY
Tel: 0121 550 6444
Fax: 0121 550 6444
Email: office@napbh.org.uk
|
|
|
