Approved Premises Rules

In April last year we wrote an article about what it means to be referred to Approved Premises following release from prison. We had positive feedback on this and questions about what rules to expect in Approved Premises so we have decided to follow up with some of those details.

Whilst staying in an Approved Premises you will be asked to follow certain rules. Each hostel will have its own house rules. There are also standard rules which are described in Chapter 34 of the Approved Premises Manual

You will have a curfew during which you must stay within the Approved Premises. Curfews are normally from 11pm to 6am or 7am, depending upon the Premises, though you may have extra curfew or conditions set by the court or as part of your licence. In rare cases, this curfew could be changed – for example if you have paid work that falls within these hours. You will need to have written proof of the reasons for it to be considered.

You will be expected to take part in group and individual activities that are on your sentence or supervision plan and keep a record of these activities in a weekly diary. These activities are intended to help with reducing re-offending and reintegration into society.

You may be required to give all your medication to staff so they can manage it for you. If you are allowed to manage your own medication, staff will regularly check with you that you are doing it properly. You will also be expected to see a doctor, nurse or other health worker if staff think you need to.

Some APs have designated bedrooms which you can smoke in. If you cannot smoke in your room, there may be a smoking area outside, on the grounds of the hostel.

You will be expected to take a drug or alcohol test if staff ask you to.

You will be told whether or not you can have visitors at the Approved Premises. If you are allowed visitors, they must be over 18 and you must have permission from staff first – this applies to APs for both men and women. Visitors will only be allowed in certain parts of the Premises and must leave when your curfew begins or earlier if staff ask.

You must let staff search your room and personal property. If possible, you should be told this is happening and allowed to watch. Police may also take part in room searches. Members of staff should not read legal documents during a search.

You will need to get permission from AP staff to bring in any electrical, electronic or photographic items. If you have an IT device such as a laptop computer, you will normally be required to sign an agreement to let it be searched if staff have reasonable concern.

There are several other rules about behaviour, as you might expect. You must not damage or try to damage anything that belongs to the AP or other people working, living or visiting the AP. You must not bring any weapons, alcohol, illegal drugs any material which may be considered offensive or anti-social—for example, pornography or racist literature – into the Approved Premises. You must not behave in violent, threatening, disruptive, racist or sexist way or endanger the health and safety of others in any way. You should not cause nuisance to neighbours or attract harmful attention to the AP.

If you want to stay overnight away from the Approved Premises you can apply for ‘leave of absence’. The maximum leave is four nights, unless there are exceptional circumstances. Examples of when you might be granted a leave of absence include for resettlement purposes, compassionate reasons such as attending a funeral or for medical reasons which require admission to hospital.

If you break the rules staff will inform your Offender Manager. You could lose your place at the AP. You could also be recalled to prison.

Of course, Approved Premises are not just about following rules. You will be allocated a keyworker who will meet with you regularly to discuss what support you need and give advice about what you should be doing. There will also be other staff you can ask for support when you need it.

There is more about these rules and other information in the ‘Approved Premises manual’ which is annex A of Probation Instruction 32/2014. This is a very large document, so we have also produced an information sheet which includes the above information and more about Approved Premises. Please contact us if you would like a copy.

You can contact the Prison Reform Trust’s advice team at FREEPOST ND6125 London EC1B 1PN. Please be aware that our free information line times have changed. It is now open 3.30pm-5.30pm on Monday and Thursday, and 10.30am to 12.30pm on Wednesday. The number is 0808 802 0060 and does not need to be put on your pin.