Information Leaflet - The Probation Service

Activities which contribute to the above aimsand objectives include:• infoming and advising the Dept. of JusticeEquality and Law Reform, PWSManagement and others on the needs ofhomeless offenders;.• contributing to the development ofappropriate policies and procedures so as toensure that sentence management anddischarges from prison are planned in sucha way as to prevent homelessness;• devising structures and enhancingpartnerships to facilitate improved access byoffenders to accommodation in thecommunity;• establishing, developing and maintainingappropriate links and networks, specificallywith the Cross Departmental Team onHomelessness, Local Authorities, HealthBoards and Homeless Fora, HomelessAgency, Youth Homeless Fora andorganisations in the community andvoluntary sector;• accessing and maximising the use ofservices provided by local authorities,health boards and the voluntary sectorthrough an integrated approach with theseagencies;• developing appropriate liaison and referralprocedures with local authorities and thevoluntary sector to minimise homelessnessamong offenders;• arranging training and information sessionsin co-operation with the PWS StaffDevelopment Units and other organisations;• establishing systems to improve data andinformation collection;• promoting relevant research projects toinform policy and best practicedevelopment;• promoting awareness of the needs ofhomeless offenders through publication ofnewsletters and information bulletins.Contact DetailsFor further information relating to the work ofHOST, the team can be contacted at:Probation and Welfare Service,Smithfield Chambers,Smithfield,Dublin 7.Phone No.: 01 8173600Fax No. 01 8173644email: host@pws.gov.ieHomeless Offenders Strategy Team(HOST)Information LeafletJanuary 2005In partnership with other statutory and nonstatutoryagencies, addressing homelessnessamong offenders and ex offenders.

IntroductionOffenders in the community, especially thosewho are homeless, are often among those whoexperience marginalisation most. In particular,those returning to the community from prisonhave been identified as one of the groupsespecially at risk of homelessness.Access to housing for offenders and exoffenders can be difficult to achieve especiallyfor those with other issues including alcohol anddrug addictions. The housing needs of offendersis an issue for the wider community. Forexample, research has found that prisoners whoare homeless after release are more likely to reoffendthan those with a secure home.It is in the interest of society that both policyand practice should address the issue ofproviding suitable housing for offenders.Background to Establishment of HOSTThe Government has formulated a nationalstrategy to develop a comprehensive responseto homelessness, incorporating health andwelfare, education, other support andpreventative measures.This strategy is set out in a number ofdocuments, including Homelessness-AnIntegrated Strategy (2000), YouthHomelessness Strategy (2001) and theHomeless Preventative Strategy (2002).The response of the Probation and WelfareService to homelessness and related issuesamongst offenders is fundamentally informed byand founded on these strategies, in conjunctionwith the mission, strategies and business plans ofthe Service itself and those of the Department ofJustice, Equality and Law Reform and the IrishPrison Service.The Homeless Offenders Strategy Team(HOST) was established on foot of arecommendation in the Homeless PreventativeStrategy (2002) with the purpose of assistinghomeless offenders.HOST is a small unit with a national remit and amainly strategic focus. The team is a multiagencyaccommodation directorate, with theProbation and Welfare Service as the leadagency and an Assistant Principal Probation andWelfare Officer as Director of the team. Theteam includes a Senior Probation and WelfareOfficer, a senior administrative official onsecondment to HOST from Dublin City Counciland two PWS administrative posts.The team is represented on the CrossDepartmental Team on Homelessness, the Dept.of Justice, Equality and Law Reform CoordinationGroup on Offender Integration, theBoard of the Homeless Agency (Dublin) and the(Dublin) Youth Homeless Forum.HOST Mission StatementTo prevent and minimise homelessness amongoffenders by working in effective partnershipwith statutory and non-statutory bodies, thuscontributing to reducing re-offending,promoting community safety and socialinclusion.Role of HOSTThe role of HOST is to promote measures toprevent offender homelessness and ensuringoffenders, including those on supervision in thecommunity and those leaving custody, haveaccess to appropriate accommodation andservices. In particular, it is involved inproviding a probation and welfare service tohomeless people on remand in Cloverill Prison.Its overall objective is to ensure that there isongoing and effective inter-agency co-operationbetween the statutory and voluntary bodies,working in the homeless sector and otherservices as they effect homeless offenders,including those under and over 18. The teamworks in close partnership with a range ofcommunity and voluntary bodies alreadyproviding valuable services to homelessoffenders and those at risk of homelessness.HOST ActivitiesHOST has developed a strategic plan. The mainaim of this strategy is to provide for a coherentimplementation mechanism that contributes toand facilitates the development of morecomprehensive and integrated delivery ofservices to homeless offenders by all therelevant agencies.The primary objectives of the plan are:1. Preventing and Minimising HomelessnessAmong Offenders.2. Improving Access to Accommodation forHomeless Offenders.