The dining room at Bridgewood approved premises, which was closed earlier this year because of staff shortages. Photograph: HM Inspectorate of ProbationView image in fullscreenThe dining room at Bridgewood approved premises, which was closed earlier this year because of staff shortages. Photograph: HM Inspectorate of ProbationBail hostels due to house early-release prisoners in England and Wales closedExclusive: 11 facilities shut, seven for lack of staff and four over issues such as infestations or lack of running water
Eleven bail hostels that were supposed to have housed dangerous prisoners during the early release of stalkers and domestic abusers in England and Wales have been closed, the Guardian can disclose.
Seven of the halfway house facilities, known as approved premises, were shut because of a lack of qualified staff, and the other four because of problems such as infestations or lack of running water, Whitehall sources said.
The figures have emerged six days after about 700 male offenders, including violent criminals and burglars, were released. Some told journalists they had nowhere to stay and that they were likely to reoffend as a result.
Nearly one in eight approved premises for dangerous prisoners have been closed during the early release scheme, an increase from nearly one in 10 in July.
Martin Jones, HM inspector of probation, said the figures were concerning. “Approved premises play a critical role in the safe reintegration of the most complex individuals back into the community,” he said.
“It is therefore concerning if there has been an increase in closures at a time when releases are increasing. Action needs to be taken to ensure adequate staffing cover and contingency plans.”
Ian Lawrence, the general secretary of the probation officers’ union, Napo, said his members were concerned that approved premises had been closing because of staff shortages or poor maintenance.
“At a time when we are seeing greater pressure on accommodation needs due to early releases, these closures are adding additional issues for our members to deal with and for those coming out of prison,” he said. HM Prison and Probation Service “needs to urgently address this issue so safe and robust release plans can be made in advance of early releases”.
Approved premises supervise about 2,000 criminals considered too dangerous to release back into the community across England and Wales.
Residents often have drug and alcohol problems and complex mental health needs. They live in the hostels for up to 12 weeks, and can be recalled to prison if they refuse to submit to drug and alcohol tests or have their rooms searched.
Read moreStaff are required to monitor residents, with rapid enforcement action needed to stop violent incidents, self-harm and overdoses.
Western approved premises, a hostel for 27 offenders in Weymouth, was closed on 9 October because of staffing shortages.
Bridgewood approved premises in Northampton, which monitors 17 high-risk offenders, was closed earlier this year because of staff shortages, sources said.
A report from the probation watchdog in February found that Bridgewood required improvement. It highlighted “concerns over the workplace culture, training gaps and inconsistent supervision” and found “there were occasions when staffing levels did not meet the requirements for safe and effective operation”.
The government has not publicly named each of the affected locations, but Lightfoot House in Ipswich – which operates as an approved premises hostel under the East of England Probation Service – is among those to have closed.
Insiders said high stress levels coupled with the expiry of contracts with the private companies Sodexo and OCS, which provided overnight staff cover at the hostels, had led to a staffing crisis.
Security guards have been filling in for qualified staff while dealing with some serious offenders, resulting in formal complaints.
There are 104 approved premises across England and Wales, most of which are for men only. Eight are facilities for women.
The Ministry of Justice has been asked to comment on the closure figures across England and Wales.
Asked about the Western, Bridgewood and Lightfoot closures, an MoJ spokesperson said: “This government is fixing the crisis it inherited by investing a record £700m in the Probation Service and recruiting 1,300 new officers this year.
“Prisoners at risk of becoming homeless are offered up to 12 weeks of basic accommodation on release and we will always ensure that those who present the very highest levels of risk are placed in an approved premises.”
