Oxford charity warns 20 prison leavers could be made homeless as referrals stop
Unrebel are appealing to probation services to help them stay afloat
Twenty men could be left homeless if an Oxford charity supporting prison leavers is forced to close following a sharp drop in referrals from probation services, its CEO has warned.
Unrebel, founded three years ago by Sam Bennett, provides supported housing for men leaving prison who want to rebuild their lives.
The charity operates five houses in Oxford, supporting 20 residents.
But Sam says the organisation is now on a “knife edge” after referrals fell from around 30 a month to just one or two following an unspecified safeguarding concern.
"If this isn't solved or somebody doesn't come forward to us with some answers we're going to go and 20 people will be on the street," he said.
Sam highlighted the need for services like Unrebel, as many prison leavers are left with nowhere to turn or are only supported temporarily.
"There are large numbers of people coming from prison and being released homeless in many cases, not even given a tent or a sleeping bag," he said.
"On other occasions they're going into what we call CAS 3 properties, which are probation-run premises, where you get 84 days and then you're asked to leave immediately," he added.
Safeguarding concern investigated
Unrebel initially worked closely with probation services and expanded rapidly in response to demand, growing from one property to five within five months.
Shortly after scaling up, the charity was made aware that a safeguarding concern had been raised.
Sam said they were never formally contacted by HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) or other probation services about the nature of the concern.
The organisation later learned that an issue raised with Oxfordshire County Council had been investigated and closed with “no further action."
Despite this, Sam claims referrals have not resumed and communication with probation services has effectively stopped.
Because Unrebel’s income is derived from housing benefits linked to occupied rooms, he said empty beds directly affect its ability to cover costs.
"No heads on beds equals no rent and no rent means that's the end of it," Sam said.
"It's been such a dreadful time for the staff and also the residents, because we've worked incredibly hard to create something that's life-changing for people," he added.
“Life-changing” impact
Sam pointed to some of the "incredible success stories" Unrebel has had since it first launched.
"I've personally collected people from the doors of prison that have come through probation, completed licences for the first time in their lives, that now work full-time," he said.
He also cited prison leavers who have entered mentoring positions at a local addiction rehabilitation centre and some who have been able to reconnect with their children after years without contact.
Sam said the charity revolves around two key principles —belief and opportunity— but they now need this from authorities to continue and expand their services.
"We want to be able to work with as many people as we possibly can but we need belief," he said.
Ministry of Justice response
The Ministry of Justice responded saying it is working closely with local authorities so prison leavers can move into settled accommodation.
It highlighted that in the National Plan to End Homelessness, published last month, the Government committed to halving the proportion of offenders on probation who become homeless on their first night out of prison.
Also plans to increase the number of prison leavers in settled accommodation at three months after release and thereafter.
The Ministry reiterated that prisoners at risk of becoming homeless can be offered up to 12 weeks of basic accommodation on release by HM Prison and Probation Service with support to move to settled accommodation.
And that this programme has been gradually rolled out nationwide since July 2021 and has since supported over 23,100 prison leavers who would otherwise have been homeless.