Perth Prison offering ex-inmates extra help to find a home

A new way to stop newly released prisoners becoming homeless and reoffending has been launched at Perth Prison.

Span (Supporting Prisoners Advice Network) was officially launched by the Housing and Welfare Minister Margaret Burgess, ex-offenders and their families.

Funded by £889,317 from the Big Lottery Fund, Span Scotland will provide advice and support to avoid homelessness a key factor in reoffending.

The programme will provide housing support and advice to more than 1,800 offenders from prisons across Scotland before and after release over the next three years.

It is estimated each case of reoffending prevented by the programme will reduce the burden to the public purse by £32,370 per prisoner, per year.

Graeme Brown, director of Shelter Scotland, said: “When in prison, people often lose their accommodation because of an inability to pay rent while serving their sentence or a family break-up.

“Many don’t have a job to go back to upon release, making finding and maintaining a home very difficult. This can add to an already chaotic lifestyle and lead to reoffending.

“Housing can play a vital role in breaking the cycle of reoffending.”