Approved Premises
There are seven Probation hostels (or Approved Premises) in West Yorkshire. Three of these are run in partnership with voluntary managed committees. They provide accommodation for those who are on bail, subject to probation supervision or to a licence on release from prison.
Between them the hostels can accommodate a diverse range of residents, regardless of gender, religion or ethnicity. One hostel is a pilot project that caters for 18-25 year old males. Another hostel caters specifically for women.
Hostels offer a high level of supervision in order to protect the public from those who pose the most serious risk of harm. All residents are subject to thorough risk assessments. They have an individual supervision plan that addresses the causes of their offending. This may include receiving drug or alcohol treatment, attending group work to address offending behaviour, improving literacy and working towards employment or longer-term accommodation.
The hostels also impose a night-time curfew and some residents have other specific curfew requirements. There is CCTV surveillance and staff on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Hostel rules are strictly enforced and there is close liaison between the Police, supervising Probation staff, Courts, Prisons, Social Services and other partner agencies.
