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Approved Premises

For further information about the National Probation Service visit www.probation.homeoffice.gov.uk

For further information about the Ministry of Justice visit.www.justice.gov.uk

Offenders live in approved premises because :

they have been ordered to do so by the courts as a condition of bail ;
it is a requirement of a community order because the court believes that they need more supervision or a settled address ; or
it is a condition of their release from prison.

Offenders living in approved premises accommodation are not free to come and go as they please but have to follow strict rules including a hostel curfew, usually from 11 pm to 7 am.

Approved premises are staffed 24 hours a day.

Approved premises staff are in close contact with ;

the police ;
all the residents.

Approved premises staff have an opportunity to influence positive change and prevent reoffending.

People living in hostels have to comply with other requirements of their community order such as attending group work programmes and training projects.

Approved premises also enable released prisoners to find more permanent accommodation and move back into the community gradually.

There are three approved premises in Staffordshire. One in Stafford and two in Stoke on Trent.

Download a copy of the Approved Premises Handbook (370kb)

For further information check out the National Association of Probation and Bail Hostels website.

In 2005/06, Staffordshire Probation Area carried out a survey on residents in our Approved Premises. Read the results here.