Interserve and Vision Housing have announced the results of pioneering research, from Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU).

This is the first UK study to establish an evidential link between housing, on-going support and a reduction in re-offending.

Some of the key findings are:

•11 per cent reduction in re-offending (for those housed)

•16 per cent reduction in re-offending for under-35's

•21 per cent reduction in re-offending for more serious offences

•26 per cent reduction in re-offending rates for women

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Across the UK, a lack of adequate housing provision is regularly cited as a factor in re-offending both for offenders leaving prison and those serving some form of community sentence. However, there is only limited research on the potential link between housing and re-offending and even less on the impact specific housing initiatives have on reducing re-offending. This study proves and quantifies the effect.

Adrian Gains, Chair of Vision Housing commented: "Too many people are released from prison each year with nowhere to stay. It is well established that this contributes to re-offending but, until now, no-one had been able to prove it. The fact that it has been achieved by a small social enterprise, run by ex-offenders, makes this all the more remarkable."

The research findings support Interserve's intelligent approach to tackling re-offending. The company believes in an evidence-based approach to understanding the roles of interventions, such as housing and employment, to improve prisoner re-integration into the community.

(CD)