Calls for prisoner housing

The provision of housing for people being released from prison would go a long way in preventing them from reoffending.

That’s according to Fianna Fáil Cllr for West Cork Joe Carroll who believes Cork County Council has an obligation to help people recently released from prison to find adequate housing.

Cllr Carroll said there is a “gap” created when prisoners are released and unfortunately many people may not want them living in their neighbourhoods, something he says is becoming a big problem in the county.

He added that he doesn’t think a solution will be found “today or tomorrow”, but that the council should sit down and speak with the prison service and begin to work towards a solution. “If some of these people are allowed roam from community to community without any proper accommodation, the chances or reoffending are greater,” said Cllr Carroll. Fianna Fáil Cllr Gearoid Murphy supported Cllr Carroll and said the primary aim of the motion is to prevent reoffending and to make rehabilitation a viable option for prisoners.

Cllr Murphy said although former prisoners went to prison for a reason, when they are released, the idea is that they have served their time and deserve an opportunity to re-enter society. “It’s better for society at large if there is a path open to them and supports in place to encourage former prisoners to become productive members of society,” said Cllr Murphy. He added: “These people have a past; it's important to make sure they have a good future rather than sliding back into the behaviour which saw them go to prison in the first place.”

Responding to Cllr Carroll’s motion, Director of Services, Housing Directorate Maurice Manning said there is a process in place between local authorities and the prison service to deal with the release of prisoners. According to Mr Manning, four to six weeks prior to release, a prison resettlement officer contacts the local authority on behalf of a client where it has been established that the client will be homeless on release.

He said the local authority then works with the resettlement officer to facilitate the completion of an application form for social housing support. “If the prisoner is approved they can avail of the Housing Assistance Payment Scheme subject to finding a suitable property,” said Mr Manning. He continued: “If no suitable property is available, an assessment for emergency accommodation can be arranged on the day of release by the Housing Department.”