Predominantly dealing with homelessness issues, the Bridge has now been operating for 4 years. One of the main issues for many prisoners is homelessness – something that almost guarantees a return to prison.
The initial aim of the team is to retain accommodation where possible. They interview all new receptions into the prison to ascertain their housing needs, this highlights any prisoners who need to be seen to sustain/secure accommodation for release. A member of the team also attends the First Night Centre daily where initial housing issues are dealt with immediately – this is essential for those clients who have properties as Housing Benefit forms can be completed to ensure rent payments do not lapse. Those prisoners who require help are then seen by the Bridge Project team who deal with numerous issues, mainly referrals to councils, housing associations and private landlords. There have been many other challenges for the team, (e.g. a parrot stuck in a client’s flat!). Since 2003 the Bridge Project have helped 2588 ex-offenders into accommodation for their release. |
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When leaving HMP Doncaster post release support is set up – where necessary – for the clients who the Bridge Project have accommodated (initially via our Support Worker and then through the relevant agencies). Another section of the team is the 'Bridge Project Family Centre', based in the Visitors’ Centre outside the prison walls.
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Along with housing issues the Bridge also deals with any other problems that arise. These can vary from dealing with bank accounts, credit cards and loans to pets being trapped in houses…always open to a challenge! They have now enlisted the services of the Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB) who provide a surgery once a week in the Bridge Project to offer advice to prisoners regarding debt problems. Along with this Phoenix Enterprise also attend to deal with debt and mortgage issues. There is still weekly attendance from a Homeless Officer from Sheffield Council who carries out homeless assessments prior to release – a valuable service. Richard Rowley is developing links with prisons and Local Authorities across the region to share good practice. He is doing this with the help of a homeless officer from Sheffield Homeless Section. The project is being developed by Government Office Yorkshire and Humber. Along with this, Richard has secured employment for an ex-offender (released at the end of 2006) with Sheffield Council, supporting the Homeless Officer – as far as we are aware this the first time a Local Authority has employed an ex-offender straight from prison! |
The Bridge Project secured a property and £68,000 funding from the ‘Neighbourhood Renewal Fund’ in 2005. A halfway house was set up which provides extensive support for its six residents. It originally targeted Prolific and Priority Offenders leaving HMP Doncaster but it has since taken on many Social Services clients.
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