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2016.04.12
4.1 Deputy R. Labey of St. Helier of the Minister for Home Affairs regarding religious groups' access and input to the Prison Service's Discharge Planning Group:
Aside from the chaplaincy team of the Freedom for Life Ministry, which of the Island's other trusts or organisations dedicated to the rehabilitation of ex-offenders have access and input to the Prison Service's Discharge Planning Group during its deliberations on placements?
Connétable D.W. Mezbourian of St. Lawrence (Assistant Minister for Home Affairs -
rapporteur)
If I may answer that in the absence of the Minister and may I start by thanking Deputy Labey for his interest in the rehabilitation of ex-offenders? Approximately 8 weeks prior to a prisoner's release the prison's sentence planning officers, in partnership with the Probation and Aftercare Service, start to produce a discharge plan. Each plan is case specific and prisoners are given the opportunity to meet with external agencies to help find accommodation, work or indeed to clarify such things as social security benefits. Over 70 per cent of prisoners return to their home address or to family or friends and do not require assistance in finding accommodation. The prison service does not book accommodation for prisoners but representatives from Andium Homes, the Shelter Trust, Sanctuary House and the Grace Trust are regular attenders at the prison and may have an input to a discharge plan, in addition to the voluntary agencies that Deputy Labey has referred to in his question.
4.1.1 Deputy R. Labey :
I thank the Assistant Minister for that. She says that other organisations may have an input. Would the Assistant Minister, or the Minister perhaps, take a look at this to see whether that is happening and consider revising the situation so that organisations like Shelter, who have qualified staff who look after their clients on a daily basis, can be involved in the decision-making processing a little bit more?
The Connétable of St. Lawrence :
We are always keen to improve any of the processes that we undertake. The Shelter Trust is in fact involved in the discussions that prisoners have before they are released from prison but there is always probably room for improvement and I would suggest to the Deputy that perhaps we can meet to look at this in more detail, if that is acceptable to him.
Deputy R. Labey :
That is an excellent suggestion. I thank the Assistant Minister for her reply.