Government Ministers have signed a contract with private company ClearSprings to build 200 hostels to house bailed offenders, those released on home curfew with electronic tags and alleged offenders awaiting trial.
According to a leaked memo, local authorities, councillors and residents will not be notified of plans to build a hostel until they have been approved. Even if they find out about the plans, councils have no rights to object to hostels unless they breach housing and planning rules.
ClearSprings has only to consult with senior police officers, council officials and the probation service. The period for consultation is limited to five days.
It is reported that the Ministry of Justice has claimed that the protocol was drawn up by the ClearSprings last year and had been withdrawn in November until talks took place with the Local Government Association.
The protocol states:
Justice Minister David Hanson was quoted as saying:
"Residents in bail accommodation are no different to those who have been legitimately released into the community to return to their own homes.
Those held in ClearSprings accommodation are deemed not to require close supervision or support.
More than half of those held in this accommodation are on bail and are therefore innocent until proven guilty.
Those on Home Detention Curfew are assessed as low risk before entry, monitored during their stay, and are liable to recall to prison if they break the terms of their release.
The security of the public remains paramount. Anyone who poses a risk to the public will continue to be held on remand.
Anyone accused of sexual offences, arson and those who pose a threat to staff, other residents or the public are not housed in these properties."
Six Halton residents from disadvantaged backgrounds have returned from India after an inspiring and emotive trip to an orphanage for children affected by HIV/AIDS. The children at the orphanage have not only lost their parents to the virus but contracted it themselves.
Aged between 16 and 34, the delegates were part of a group of 12 staff and residents from Halton YMCA Foyer in Runcorn Cheshire and Cosmopolitan Housing Association.
The two organisations have jointly raised around £2,500 each year for the last two years to provide essential medical supplies for the children, to enhance their quality of life expectancy.
The group spent ten days at the orphanage, which is managed by the Mangalore YMCA, and were able to experience first-hand, the day-to-day life of the children they help to support.
The delegation also included a member of staff from Y Care International.
