Study highlights support needs for prison leavers

A high level of need for housing support amongst prison leavers has been revealed by an evaluation into a charity's support service.

St Giles Trust's Through the Gates service supports people on the day of release from prison and offers follow up support to help ease the transition back into the community and head off the dangers that can trigger re-offending.

Since its start last August, it has worked with over 1,200 individuals and successfully housed over 900. Many more individuals have been assisted with benefits and signposted to further support with issues such as finding employment and training.

Funded by the London Probation service, Through the Gates works with prison leavers returning to 14 London boroughs. The period after release is a crucial time when the risk of re-offending is very high if the basics such as somewhere to live and an income are not in place.

Through the Gates caseworkers meet prison leavers at the prison gates and hand-hold their clients through this difficult, bewildering period. Any plans for rehabilitation can easily break down without a helping hand to guide the individual through the maze of form filling, appointment keeping, housing applications and benefit claims.

Around half of the caseworkers on the project are reformed ex-offenders with first-hand experience of leaving prison and settling back into the community. This element of was particularly valued by the clients, seen as adding credibility and providing positive role models.

Rob Owen, Chief Executive of St Giles Trust, said: "Through the Gates has made a real difference in helping people get their lives back on track and in preventing re-offending. The fact it has worked with such large numbers of individuals and responded quickly to their needs is a testament to its success."

He continued;

"It has exciting potential to be extended and make a bigger impact. This will not only help more prison leavers turn their lives around but also contribute towards addressing come of the problems behind crime and social exclusion in our communities."

The evluation into the first year of Through the Gates, carried out by Graham Park Consulting, also found:

• Through the Gates works well with challenging clients.
• The service complements work with other agencies, including the Probation Service and other charities.
• Clients appreciated the personal care and support from caseworkers.

The evaluation looked at the first six months of Through the Gates and examined quantitive data from 473 clients referred during this period and carried out in-depth interviews with a number of clients.

Full copies of the report can be downloaded by clicking on the related media section on the right hand side of this page.