Protecting the public

Approved premises

'Approved premises' are accomodation in the community for convicted prisoners or those on bail, who would not be suitable to live elsewhere. They provide an enhanced level of supervision to reduce the risk of harm to the public.

There are 104 approved premises in England and Wales. Residents may have committed a range of offences, including some serious offences. Placement in approved premises is designed to minimise risks to the public and to victims.

Who decides which offenders will live in approved premises?

The decision to admit someone to approved premises is only taken after careful consideration of the risk they pose. This includes the risk to the local community.

If approved premises staff assess that risk to be too high then a place is not offered.  Even if a place is offered by the approved premises, their decision then has to be endorsed by the Court, a prison governor or the Parole Board. 

Each referral is subject to at least two, and sometimes three, levels of scrutiny before a final decision is taken.  Refusal can occur at any stage in this process if the risk is considered too great to be managed safely.

All approved premises residents are assessed by probation staff using OASys (new window) (the Offender Assessment System).

How safe are approved premises?

Approved premises staff and management give the highest priority to protecting the public.

They work closely with local police and other agencies to ensure residents are managed safely.  One of the benefits of placing offenders in approved premises is that probation and the police know exactly where they are.

Other safety features of approved premises:

• have a minimum curfew of 11pm to 6am - some residents will have additional curfews
• some residents are electronically monitored
• there are at least two members of staff on duty at all times, and frequently more than the minimum

There is no evidence that the level of crime is higher in the areas surrounding approved premises.

Are sex offenders admitted to approved premises and why should we have them in the community?

Most approved premises will consider the admission of sex offenders but the facilities are not specifically sex offender accommodation or treatment centres.

Sex offenders living in approved premises have usually served the custodial part of their sentence and are conditionally released from prison. The date of release is determined by the original sentence, their behaviour in prison and the Parole Board deciding that any risk they present can be successfully managed in the community.

The Probation Service has arrangements with the police to ensure that sex offenders are appropriately managed.

Who pays for approved premises and who runs them?

The main funding comes from the government through the National Probation Service. Residents are required to pay for their rent and board.

Most approved premises are run by the local Probation Board, which will have meetings open to the public and has a membership drawn from the community.

Some approved premises are run by Voluntary Management Committees.  Members of the local community are likely to be included on these committees.