Criminal Justice Project

How do we address the offending histories of our clients? With funding from the Monument Trust, Homeless Link has launched a new research project to explore how the homelesssness and criminal justice sectors can best support those with offending histories, and the role they can play in reducing offending behaviour.

Working with a range of stakeholders from across the homelessness and criminal justice sectors, the research will explore: 

• How the homelessness sector can play a more active role in supporting clients with offending histories, and in preventing re-offending; and
• Ways to build strong partnerships between the homelessness and criminal justice sectors, in order to reduce the re-offending rate of homeless clients.

WHY CRIMINAL JUSTICE?

Many clients using homelessness services have offending histories - 84% services in our latest SNAP report reported that they work with clients affected by offending behaviour.

In turn, homelessness increases the chances of re-offending. For example, ex-prisoners who are homeless upon release are twice as likely to re-offend as those with stable accommodation.

Up until now little attention has been given to the role that the homelessness sector can play in preventing offending or re-offending. Homeless Link believes that there is potential for the sector to play a key role in preventing offending behaviour among their clients.

WHAT WILL THE PROJECT INVOLVE?

The research will initially involve a literature review and two online surveys across the homelessness and criminal justice sectors. This will inform the second stage of the project where qualitative research will be conducted in 5 areas across England. This will involve a series of focus groups and interviews with participants including homeless clients, frontline staff, managers, commissioners and local criminal justice agencies.

The project will be managed by Homeless Link along with an advisory group composed of experts from government, the homelessness sector and the criminal justice sector. A project report will identify ways that key national bodies, funders, commissioners and agencies across both sectors could respond and contribute towards breaking the link between criminality and homelessness. The project will start in June 2010 and will be completed by June 2011.

WHAT WILL THE IMPACT OF THE PROJECT BE?

This project will improve our understanding about the links between criminality and homelessness. It will highlight the different types of support and interventions which can be developed to prevent offending and reduce re-offending amongst homeless people.

As such, the project aims to help bring about positive change in the approaches of homelessness and criminal justice agencies, and ultimately contribute to reducing offending behaviour among this client group.

If you would like to get in touch or find out more about the project, please contact us on 020 7840 4428 or email Elizabeth Schertler, Research Manager or Helen Mathie, Policy Projects Manager.