A homelessness charity has called for a “stronger focus on rehabilitation and extensive psychological support” inside Jersey’s prison after new figures showed nearly half of inmates leave custody without stable housing in place.
Sanctuary Trust operations manager Jack Slater said prison leavers typically account for four or five new admissions a year to the charity’s 30-bed facility – making up between 15% and 20% of its admissions over the past five years.
His comments come after the States of Jersey Prison Service’s annual report revealed this week that while 91% of prisoners had accommodation arranged on release, 46% of those placements were temporary – including shelters and guest houses.
The report cited “lack of housing availability” and “rising rental and deposit costs” as barriers to “suitable stable accommodation” for people leaving custody – something that Mr Slater agreed were the main barriers to stability.
Mr Slater said it was “hardly surprising” that one-in-five former inmates returned to La Moye within a year of release, given the challenges facing prison leavers.
He said: “A lack of stable housing quite clearly represents a significant challenge to those being released from prison, and re-offending rates are hardly surprising given that many leave prison with insecure housing, no employment and significant mental health challenges.
“We have never seen a prison leaver without a significant history of trauma.”
Mr Slater explained Sanctuary Trust aims to provide a base so that ex-prisoners can rebuild their lives, find work, and reconnect with the community – but warned that it can take years for some to adjust after long sentences.
While praising probation services for their “excellent support to leavers”, Mr Slater said resources for long-term help “often feel lacking” given the complex needs of many leavers.
He called for “a stronger focus on rehabilitation and extensive psychological support inside the prison” to better prepare people for release.
An independent inspection of HMP La Moye also found that a quarter of prisoners were released homeless last year – including some “high-risk men”, which external reviewers described as a “concern.”
Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor said: “Finding sustainable housing was a huge challenge, given the short supply and high rental prices on the island.”
And earlier this year, the States of Jersey Annual Report and Accounts repeated warnings about the reliance on temporary housing – adding that prison leavers without stable accommodation were more likely to reoffend.
It also revealed that less than half of prisoners (44%) leaving HMP La Moye last year had a job lined up on release.