Housing and Support Needs of Ex-Prisoners: The Role of the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program

• NCJ Number: 206431
• Author(s): Teresa Hinton
• Date Published: August 2004
• Length: 59 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Australia Supported Accommodation Assistance Program
• Sale Source: Australian Government Dept of Family and Community Services
• Publication Format: Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: Australia
• Note: Downloaded August 9, 2004.

Annotation

This report presents the findings from a review of the current and potential role of Australia's Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) in meeting the housing and support needs of ex-prisoners in Tasmania.

Abstract

Tasmania's correctional services currently estimate that approximately 90 inmates per year are homeless upon release; however, this is a significant underestimate. Most of the homeless ex-inmates have served sentences of 3 months or less. Currently, the ability of correctional services to assess ex-inmates' needs, plan for release, and coordinate the input of external providers is rudimentary. Homelessness services funded by SAAP provide the bulk of crisis and transitional housing and support available in Tasmania. Among the needs expressed by the sizeable population of ex-inmates requesting SAAP services are acute levels of loneliness and isolation; prison-generated behaviors; and limited access to housing and employment exacerbated by stigma, discrimination, and the restrictions imposed by supervision orders. Tasmania's prison system is currently being reformed, and this includes the creation of a new integrated offender management system that contains a prerelease and aftercare model. Recommendations include training staff to recognize the multiple needs of ex-inmates; the development of protocols for providing prerelease housing assistance to prisoners; the prioritizing of the reintegration needs of all inmates within formal planning mechanisms; provision for negotiating reduced housing rents during periods of short incarceration; and the commitment of resources to the establishment of appropriate postrelease housing options (medium and long-term) accompanied by intensive support. This report includes the views of SAAP agencies, the views of ex-prisoners, and models of good practice from other Australian States and Territories. Appended external providers of correctional services, SAAP-funded services in Tasmania, case histories, and a list of research participants