New support for ex-offenders in Wiltshire
A new 'Housing Support Worker' being employed to help prison leavers get somewhere to live.
Last updated 13th Sep 2020
Wiltshire's Police and Crime Commissioner is giving ex-offenders a better chance at turning their lives around.
Angus Macpherson's joined forces with Wiltshire Council, along with the Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire Community Rehabilitation Company (CRC) and Swindon Borough Council to help hire a new support worker. The new worker will deal directly with ex-cons to offer them help and guidance.
Money to pay for the new worker is coming from the PCC and CRC. The Offender Housing Support Worker will help ex-offenders who're leaving prison to find somewhere to live and maintain their accommodation. They will also help those already in the community who're struggling with their accommodation.
COUNTY WIDE SUPPORT
Although the support worker will be employed by Wiltshire Council, they will work across both Wiltshire and Swindon Borough local authority areas.
PCC Angus Macpherson said:
"I am very pleased to be working with the Local Authority and the Probation Service to meet the cost of an Offender Housing Officer. I have long held the view that without suitable and stable housing, offender rehabilitation is compromised."
Cllr Richard Clewer, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Housing, said:
"We recognise the link between stable housing and re-offending and this post will provide a great opportunity to improve the prospects for offenders coming out of prison and for those who are already in the community and struggling with their housing. Working closely with the Wiltshire Police, Wiltshire Community Rehabilitation Company and Wiltshire Probation Service we will seek to find ways of providing stable housing to help ensure that those leaving custody have the best chances to resettle positively in the community."