Long term solutions for resettlement
If you have a philanthropic streak and a spare room read on. Unlockahome, a prison enterprise at pilot stage, are looking for landlords who will rent their spare room to a former, vetted low risk prisoner. We would give you access to their CV and disclosure letter. You would give us a description similar to spareroom.com. They may still be having probation meetings.
What would make you a perfect fit? You will only take one lodger; you don’t need a friend or an on- site helper; you treat every person with respect, set and keep clear boundaries and confidentiality and would, ideally, commit to a year in principle although an on site landlord need only give one month’s notice.
The lack of accommodation precedes the lack of a job as the number one reason why some ex-prisoners fail on the outside. They don’t have family support, don’t want to live in a hostel, they don’t want to have to rely on the contacts who were a bad influence in the first place to sofa surf and sometimes they want to move away from their old haunts altogether. They talk about wanting a home.
Do they receive help? If they are not high risk and priority for hostel accommodation, they don’t automatically get help from resettlement in prison and they would be bottom of the list for council or housing association waiting lists. Many are too anxious and ashamed to pitch for themselves.
Only this week I spoke to a young man with an excellent work history who first lost his partner, then a good job and within a year was homeless. He openly admitted that he steals just enough to get a jail sentence to put a roof over his head. This was his 4th time in prison and he admitted he stole that bit more this time to get a longer sentence. Once in prison he gets work immediately and feels safe.
I am a mother. Their needs are not complex – some constancy and security.
What else can I tell you from my face-to-face experience? They are likely to be institutionalised; happy to stay in their own room, cleanliness freaks, cook amazing meals in a kettle and have an aversion to noise.
If you are interested or wish to find out more, please get in touch.