A recent report from the HM Inspectorate of Prisons’ found that 30% of men released from HMP Peterborough in the past year were made homeless due to inadequate housing support.

The prison is one of the UK’s largest reception jails and over the last year released around 1,200 men. 333 of these were released without housing.

Most prisoners held at HMP Peterborough come from counties in the East of England, including Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Norfolk, and Suffolk.

For those released from prison with a local connection to Cambridge, one housing option is the Cambridge Cyrenians’ Jubilee Project, a 10-bed hostel specifically for ex-offenders.

Residents at the project are supported by two Project Workers and a qualified Mental Health Practitioner. Jubilee residents are also supported by Cambridge Cyrenians’ Meaningful Activities Manager, Shanice Jones, to access volunteering, training, and employment.

James Martin, Director at Cambridge Cyrenians, emphasised the critical role the hostel plays in the lives of prison-leavers in Cambridge: “The Jubilee Project is a really important service for prison-leavers in our community. Having this dedicated accommodation ensures that people leaving prison don’t have to end up homeless. It’s not just about putting a roof over someone’s head; the project offers support, guidance for finding permanent housing and employment, and a chance for a fresh start away from cycles of reoffending and rough sleeping.”

If you, or someone you know, will be homeless on release from prison. You can make a homeless application to Cambridge City Council: https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/get-advice-about-housing.

If you’d like some advice on housing options after prison, you can email us at office@cambridgecyrenians.org.uk or fill out the form here.