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Prisoner guest houses criticised Prisoner guest houses criticised
(about 2 hours later)
A scheme placing offenders in guest houses is an unacceptable way to ease jail overcrowding, a Tory MP has said.A scheme placing offenders in guest houses is an unacceptable way to ease jail overcrowding, a Tory MP has said.
Conservative justice spokesman Nick Herbert criticised the bail house approach, which costs £250-a-night on average compared to £100 in prison.Conservative justice spokesman Nick Herbert criticised the bail house approach, which costs £250-a-night on average compared to £100 in prison.
The Ministry of Justice paid private firm ClearSprings £2.9m to pay the rent of 339 offenders over six months.The Ministry of Justice paid private firm ClearSprings £2.9m to pay the rent of 339 offenders over six months.
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said the scheme provides "an alternative" to prison for whom it is not necessary.A Ministry of Justice spokesman said the scheme provides "an alternative" to prison for whom it is not necessary.
The approach is not used with violent criminals and is used as a way to deal with those on remand, for example.The approach is not used with violent criminals and is used as a way to deal with those on remand, for example.
The spokesman said: "The scheme has the support of the judges and magistrates who have been asking us to provide precisely this sort of service.The spokesman said: "The scheme has the support of the judges and magistrates who have been asking us to provide precisely this sort of service.
"Some of those on the scheme have benefited by being able to retain or gain employment and training and to begin to establish the basis for a law-abiding life in the community.""Some of those on the scheme have benefited by being able to retain or gain employment and training and to begin to establish the basis for a law-abiding life in the community."
These are people who should be in jail, or at least in facilities linked to prison Nick Herbert Neighbours wake up one morning to learn that the house next door has effectively become an open jail Nick Herbert
He said they were focusing on the cost of this approach compared to housing the offenders in prison and added: "We expect that once running at greater capacity the scheme will cost substantially less than the cost of prison."He said they were focusing on the cost of this approach compared to housing the offenders in prison and added: "We expect that once running at greater capacity the scheme will cost substantially less than the cost of prison."
Those placed in guest houses would otherwise by in prison, either on remand or nearing the end of their sentences.Those placed in guest houses would otherwise by in prison, either on remand or nearing the end of their sentences.
Traditionally, suspects are held in remand if courts are not satisfied that they have a stable home address and may abscond.Traditionally, suspects are held in remand if courts are not satisfied that they have a stable home address and may abscond.
The guest house approach attempts to reduce the use of remand.The guest house approach attempts to reduce the use of remand.
The Bail Accommodation and Support Service scheme was launched in England and Wales last year.The Bail Accommodation and Support Service scheme was launched in England and Wales last year.
Reduction 'by stealth'Reduction 'by stealth'
About 500 offenders are expected to be housed in this way by the summer.About 500 offenders are expected to be housed in this way by the summer.
Those housed are not confined but normally must adhere to a curfew.Those housed are not confined but normally must adhere to a curfew.
Locals in areas where criminals and suspects are housed have not been informed of their background.Locals in areas where criminals and suspects are housed have not been informed of their background.
Mr Herbert, who opposed the scheme in his Arundel and South Downs constituency, told the Daily Mail it was an "unacceptable" attempt to "try to reduce the prison population by stealth". Mr Herbert, who opposed the scheme in his Arundel and South Downs constituency, told BBC News: "The government is resorting to housing offenders in the community by stealth purely because it has failed to build enough prisons."
'Huge disruption' Costing taxpayers
He said: "These are people who should be in jail, or at least in facilities linked to prison. He went on: "The public aren't even consulted - neighbours wake up one morning to learn that the house next door has effectively become an open jail.
"These houses are just dropped into the community and cause huge disruption." "Far from saving money, this policy is costing the taxpayer millions. It doesn't help offenders to drop them into a house without supervision or proper support, and it's an insult to residents who have to put up with the consequences."
Last week plans to use a residential house in Carmarthenshire for offenders were withdrawn in the face of opposition.Last week plans to use a residential house in Carmarthenshire for offenders were withdrawn in the face of opposition.
More than 100 residents met to voice their opposition to the idea with councillors claiming it was "totally unsuitable" for the area.More than 100 residents met to voice their opposition to the idea with councillors claiming it was "totally unsuitable" for the area.
Up to three prisoners eligible for tagging or those on remand or awaiting sentence would have been able to use the semi-detached house.Up to three prisoners eligible for tagging or those on remand or awaiting sentence would have been able to use the semi-detached house.