Current status: Answered by Angela Constance on 28 August 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what support is available for early release prisoners to ensure that they are able to find and maintain stable accommodation upon release.
Pre-release planning, including in relation to housing needs, was a key feature of the recent emergency early release process.
Scottish Prison Service (SPS) worked closely with representatives from Local Government – including housing departments, wider public bodies, and the third sector in the planning and operation of the process.
SPS officials conducted an expedited pre-release process to help prisoners identify their needs, and supported their engagement with relevant community services. That included establishing their housing status and making referrals, as required, to Local Authority housing departments.
Releases were staggered across four separate tranches, which enabled service providers to better support those released. SPS notified Local Authorities and key stakeholders of planned releases, to each area, prior to each tranche.
For those nearer to their expected liberation date, any planning would have been underway, in line with the Sustainable Housing on Release for Everyone (SHORE) Standards.
As is normal practice, Local Authorities allocate housing in their area, including to those released as part of the emergency release programme, where necessary, in line with local resources and demand.