Preventing homelessness when leaving prison

Our duty might be limited to giving you advice and assistance to help you find your own home rather than provide accommodation.

Help from your probation officer

You are advised to speak with your probation or housing adviser about where you will live and how to find a home. If you are released on licence, your probation officer can help you find accommodation, as long as you have spent a continuous period of at least twelve months in custody.

If you have no housing, you may need to move into a hostel, night shelter or bed and breakfast accommodation. So, it is in your best interest to speak with your prison housing adviser or probation officer before you are released. If you want to apply for housing assistance, they can make a referral on your behalf to any local council (all councils).

Leaving prison does not in itself mean that we have to treat you as being vulnerable and in priority. But we will take into account your circumstances.

Other services

These services offer housing and support.

• Shelter housing adviser:  0808 800 4444 (emergency housing and advice services)
• Nacro BASS: 0300 555 0264 or 0300 123 1999 - gives people released from prison or bailed somewhere stable to live
• Langley House Trust: 0333 003 5025 - provides resettlement services
• St Giles Trust:  020 7703 7000 - find jobs, homes and gives support to people in prison and on release from custody.