Third sector takes over SPS support for released prisoners

Two third sector partnerships are to extend their support for people leaving prison, to help those formerly assisted by the Scottish Prison Service's Throughcare programme.

The New Routes and Shine public service partnerships, led by Wise Group and Sacro respectively, will work with a wider range of prisoners released from short term sentences of up to four years, taking in prisoners who were, until recently, supported by the Prison Service. In July, the Prison Service announced plans to suspend temporarily its Throughcare service due to staffing pressures linked to the rising prison population.

New Routes works with male prisoners and Shine works with female prisoners.

Individuals leaving long term sentences will continue to be supervised by Criminal Justice Social Work, to ensure that they abide by the conditions of their release.

Welcoming the news, Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said: "Helping people to reintegrate into their communities – including providing practical help with everything from job applications to finding accommodation – is key to ensuring they do not get drawn back into a damaging cycle of offending.

"Following the Scottish Prison Service’s decision to suspend its Throughcare services we worked closely with third sector partners to find an alternative. I’m pleased that the New Routes and Shine partnerships have been able to respond and this valuable support will remain available to prisoners who wish to access it."