Rt Hon. Chris Grayling, Justice Secretary visits the Date Palm Project, Aug 2014
The Secretary of State for Justice, Rt Hon. Chris Grayling visited the Date Palm Projects first housing scheme in the London borough of Brent. The new service aims to help young Muslim men leaving prison to have a home and a place to rebuild their lives. On release they will be housed in an environment focused on there rehabilitation and resettlement, and given help into training, education and employment.
The Date Palm Project is a new community partnership between the Better Community Business Network, St Mungo’s Broadway and the National Zakat Foundation to provide faith sensitive supported housing for young Muslim prison leavers who are at risk of homelessness.
The Justice Secretary visited the eight bed shared house, which will be a temporary home for young men who are likely to stay from four to six months as they leave HMP Feltham. Mr Grayling met some of the new residents, staff who will manage the property and representatives of the participating charities.
Rt Hon. Chris Grayling said:
“For too long prisoners have been released back onto the streets with £46 in their pockets and little else, in the hope they will sort themselves out — it’s no wonder things haven’t improved.
“Offenders need more targeted through-the-gate support, so work towards rehabilitation begins inside prison, and continues into the community.”
“Our reforms to rehabilitation will see a far greater role for private and voluntary sector organisations, who can use innovative schemes like mentoring to turn offenders’ lives around. The Date Palm Project is an excellent example of this and I want to see much more of this type of approach.”
Currently almost 60 per cent of those released from short prison sentences go back to crime within a year of release. In addition, this group get no statutory support on release. To tackle this unacceptable problem, the Government is introducing crucial reforms that will see all offenders given at least 12 months’ supervision in the community. There will also be a much greater role for private and voluntary organisations, which will bring a fresh approach to reducing reoffending and protecting the public.
Sabah Gilani, BCBN’s Project Director, said:
“I am honoured to be part of the Date Palm Project, the only one of its kind. Due to the stigma of imprisonment, many young offenders do not keep in touch with their families or have the correct support following their release. Their vulnerability, susceptibility to negative influence and pressure to reintegrate quickly can lead to frustration and discontentment and most worryingly, reoffending. We have been instrumental in the Date Palm Project’s launch and will continue to support young offenders in providing inspirational seminars from a range of professionals, training workshops, education programmes and employment opportunities.”
Rt Hon. Chris Grayling’s visit to the Date Palm Project property received exposure from BBC London & Ministry of Justice
