There has been much media coverage of concerns about Southview hostel, but little about the place itself, writes MARTIN MURPHY, assistant chief probation officer for the North Yorkshire probation area. Here, probation staff and

residents talk about Southview

Hostels aren't new

Southview opened in 1994. It is one of 100 probation hostels in the country. Roz Brown, probation chief for North Yorkshire, says: "The probation service has had hostels for more than 50 years, and we know how to run them properly.

"Every major city has one. There used to be two sorts - probation hostels and bail hostels. Most were probation hostels, which took people on probation orders, and on licences after prison, and on bail to the courts, but there were also a few bail hostels, which took only people on bail.

"An Act of Parliament changed this, and made all hostels the same - approved premises, all taking all three types of resident."

Every referral is assessed

Beverley Corney is hostel manager. She states: "Whether the referral is from a court or a prison, we will assess it very carefully before accepting the person.

"Everyone is given a risk assessment. When someone is coming after completing a prison sentence, we will have a lot of information, and time to consider it.

"We routinely share information with the police and social services.

Wherever necessary, we will have a multi-agency public protection panel meeting with them and with other agencies, like education, to discuss a referral."

Not just accommodation

The purpose of the hostel is to help offenders stop offending and make something of their lives. Jonathon Martin, practice manager, explains:

"Before any person becomes a resident, we consider what assistance and support is needed to help rehabilitate them back into the community. Each resident has an individual action plan and a link-worker."

Residents can also be referred to specialist agencies who come into the hostel, to help with problems like illiteracy, or alcohol or drug misuse.

Strict rules

Every resident is under a court order or licence. They will be removed if they breach these, or the hostel rules. Staff keep a close eye on residents, and anyone bringing in a new item of property will be asked for a receipt.

The police will be informed of any suspicion of any criminal behaviour. 'J' was on bail for driving while disqualified. Staff thought he had a car kept away from the hostel. He denied this, but they found car keys in his pocket. Police were told, he was arrested, and his place was withdrawn.

No drugs or drink

Drinking and drug-taking is banned. Residents are drug-tested every two days, and get medical help and counselling.

'D', a resident on bail, says: "I have been on heroin for ten years and this is the first time I have received any professional help. I had visions of going for my pension and scoring a bag. This is the last chance saloon regarding my family."

'G', from Acomb, is on a community sentence after a period on bail: "Being at Southview has helped me give up drugs. Staff are around all the time to talk to. The drug testing and the medical help have made it easier. I can practise dealing with my problems before I go home."

South View works

Residents are helped through their stay in the hostel.

'A' says: "When I was sent to prison I lost my home and belongings. Living at South View has given me a chance to start again with support. Staff always check on where we go and encourage us to use our time well."

'B' was on bail and is now on a community sentence. He comments: "This place is the best stepping stone anyone could find. It is better than throwing people out of jail and them being cold and desperate on the streets. I am working now and getting ready to move on. I am saving for a bond. This place has made it much easier to do that."

Roger, a hostel worker, says: "Some people feel Southview should not be in a residential area. But we have to be, because hostel residents need to use community facilities, too. They go to work, or to training courses, shop, or go to the dentist - like everyone else."

Neil Hobbs, magistrate and probation board member, says: "Everyone in Southview would be out somewhere in the community, if they weren't there. In Southview, they get close supervision and support."

Roz Brown sums up: "We have more than 1,500 offenders under supervision in the community, and up to 20 in Southview. The probation service aims to reduce offending and protect the public. Southview helps us do that."

Updated: 10:39 Thursday, September 19, 2002