Round pegs in square holes: PART iii EXPLORING THE DISTINCTIVE ROLE THAT HOUSING CAN PLAY IN PREVENTING REOFFENIDNG BY PEOPLE LEAVING PRISON EVH – ANNUAL CONFERENCE . ROB STRACHAN, SPS HEAD of STRATEGY, PLANNING AND Partnerships 28 OCTOBER 2017

Evidence, including costs – economic and social WHAT I WILL COVER TODAY Strategic context Evidence, including costs – economic and social The distinctive role of RSLs in reducing reoffending Our partnership working with the housing sector Next steps

Strategic context 1 – PRISON RATES

Strategic context 2 -SENTENCES

Strategic context 3 – the changing prison population Population projections: Volatile and subject to flux making future proofing of the prison estate difficult. Prison population: Becoming increasingly complex (40% increase in those held as a result of a sexual offence since 2012). Older prisoners: The number and proportion of older prisoners is increasing and this group are far more likely to require social care- although almost half of all those who require social care are under the age of 50 (longer sentences, historical offending) Social care: Constitutes a key challenge - models of care and support will need to be introduced for a prison population with heightened needs. Account requires to be taken of the continuing development of the policy and service delivery landscape around the integration of health and social care

STRATEGIC CONTEXT 4 – THE CHANGING PRISON POPULATION Domestic Abuse: More perpetrators are anticipated to be held. Provision of specialist programmes to address the behaviour of those who commit domestic abuse is complex. Women in Custody: SPS’ ability to meet the national vision is predicated on the continuation of a declining population. It is envisaged further reductions will prove increasingly difficult in light of the proportion of women who are serving medium to longer term sentences, often as a result of more serious offending Penal Estate: The limitations of the existing prison estate cannot easily be overcome; the design in many establishments is not appropriate for a 21st century prison service

What the evidence tells us ……(1) Many people leaving prison in Scotland do not currently receive the housing-related services they need especially those who serve short-term prison sentences (MGOR commissioned report) There is a lack of a consistent pattern or level of housing-related service provision with no overall strategic approach (MGOR commissioned report) Housing problems can contribute to overall difficulties in desistance from offending, welfare and access to health (Social Exclusion Unit 2002) Transition back to the community is difficult and stressful Ensuring that every person gets access to the appropriate service is a key shared challenge for SPS and partners in the housing sector Stickability and coordination is key

WHAT THE EVIDENCE TELLS US......(2) The economic and social costs The Scottish Government estimates that the total economic and social costs of reoffending are around £3billion a year 45% prisoners said they had lost their accommodation when in prison (Prisoner Survey 2015) 43% of those engaging with SPS TSOs present as homeless on the day of liberation Average cost of a prisoner place in 2015-16 circa £35,000 and cost of handling a typical homelessness case can be upwards of £15,000 People leaving prison are 3 x more likely to offend without housing related support (Fry Housing Trust). For every £1 spent on housing related support, more than £23 is saved in prison, court and other associated costs (Fry Housing Trust) = case for justice reinvestment in housing?

How do we Improve HOUSING OPTIONS FOR people WITH A HISTORY OF OFFENDING? THE DISTINCTIVE ROLE OF RSLs in reducing reoffending How can we identify people’s needs and aspirations as early as possible through collaborative working– a person centred approach? How can we maximise options to secure a tenancy whilst a ‘tenant’ is in prison? If a tenancy cannot be maintained, how can we make arrangements for securing furniture in preparation for discharge? Where options cannot be secured prior to liberation, can we accept homelessness and housing applications as early as possible in custody? Can we arrange accommodation before liberation to minimise anxiety and disruption? Can we reduce the time spent in unsuitable temporary accommodation? How can we incentivize and support RSLs to help us meet Scotland’s reoffending challenge? What do you need from SPS, Government and others to help you ( i.e. communications withy local communities? System improvements?

Partnership working (continued) Shared Task and Finish Groups: (SPS, CIH, Shelter, ALACHO, SFHA) 1.Options, processes and standards; and 2. The data and economics of homelessness and reoffending Exploring options for the provision of housing and homelessness advice services in prison Drafting a set of national quality standards for SPS and housing advisers/providers Considering the processes and procedures that need to be put in place to achieve the best outcomes for those leaving prison

PARTNERSHIP WORKING WITH THE HOUSING SECTOR Strategic Knowledge Exchanges co-badged with the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH),the Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers (ALACHO), Shelter (Scotland) and the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA). Shared agreement around the challenges in relation to housing for people in and leaving prison. Discussions around developing our shared ambition, what this might look like and future strategic engagement between Prisons, Housing and other partners.

‘’Sustainable Housing On Release for Everyone’’ Next steps Develop and road test shared standards – ALACHO, Housing Options Hubs, SPS Head of Offender Outcomes, SFHA Housing Management Conference, EVH, Scottish Housing Network Fora Exploring potential for a shared Justice and Housing launch later this year Share learning with Community Justice Scotland, influence community justice partnerships Support more joined up justice and housing policy ‘’Sustainable Housing On Release for Everyone’’

And Finally Let’s Hear from another Service User - John