A CONTROVERSIAL scheme to allegedly open bail hostels in secret around the country could be operating in Bournemouth.
The hostels are built in residential areas to ease prison overcrowding. As they only house up to four people they do not need planning permission.
Bournemouth and the Salisbury/Shaftesbury' area both appeared on a list of targeted sites released to the House of Commons in January.
advertisement
The government said it will not give updated information - meaning a hostel could already be up and running in the town.
Deputy leader of Bournemouth council Cllr John Beesley said the lack of information was "wholly unacceptable."
He added: "When this government doesn't want to tell us something it's because they have got something to hide.
"The hostels are not an appropriate part of any residential community and I can see no justification for them whatsoever."
Councillors, prison officers and police officers in other parts of the country have claimed 150 hostels were opened without their knowledge.
Bournemouth council and Dorset County Council both said they have not yet been consulted on any plans.
The contractor carrying out the scheme, ClearSprings, is supposed to consult with the police and councils before it opens a hostel - but it does not have to consult the public.
ClearSprings told a Channel 4 programme it has been contracted to build up to 400 hostels. They will house offenders released before the end of their sentences and suspects awaiting trial.
Cllr Dave Smith said the issue was of "great concern" and he would be demanding answers from the police, probation service and the council.
He added: "I don't think anybody would want this near them."
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "ClearSprings is under a contractual obligation to consult in areas where they are to open bail accommodation. Any reports that it has failed to do so will be investigated."
ClearSprings said it had been asked to refer all enquiries to the Ministry of Justice.
Posted by: Emulated, Bournemouth on 9:48pm Wed 7 May 08
Glad I installed a cctv system, much better than a burglar alarm which most people ignore when its activated. At least with cctv you know whos called when you are out if the need arises.
Glad I installed a cctv system, much better than a burglar alarm which most people ignore when its activated. At least with cctv you know whos called when you are out if the need arises.
Posted by: Honest Joe, Bournemouth on 11:56pm Wed 7 May 08
There has been a bail hostel on the corner of Oxford Road Bournemouth for years - 1 minute away from the homeless shelter, so guess where all the 'lags' meet up?
That is the reason why Asda close at 12 midnight as too much thieving after that time with little number of staff to control it.
Another reason why the new building at the entrance to Bournemouth (St Pauls Road) is yet to start building. The agreement was to move the homeless shelter away or no-one will purchase the apartments. Says a lot to the area doesn't it?
There has been a bail hostel on the corner of Oxford Road Bournemouth for years - 1 minute away from the homeless shelter, so guess where all the 'lags' meet up?
That is the reason why Asda close at 12 midnight as too much thieving after that time with little number of staff to control it.
Another reason why the new building at the entrance to Bournemouth (St Pauls Road) is yet to start building. The agreement was to move the homeless shelter away or no-one will purchase the apartments. Says a lot to the area doesn't it?
Posted by: Ed, Bournemouth on 10:47am Thu 8 May 08
Well if people don't know where they are then either they are not here or else they are working well and not causing a problem in the local community. So either way, no need to panic.
Well if people don't know where they are then either they are not here or else they are working well and not causing a problem in the local community. So either way, no need to panic.
Posted by: Tru Belle, purbeck on 3:57pm Thu 8 May 08
I can understand the anxiety felt by all the residents re bail hostels. I wonder what percentage of the connurbation have actually been locked up, I expect the figure will be quite high, so there fore one never knows who thy neigbour is really? assumptions like that are the same as asbos, or being tagged. Or let out under licence etc. Sad fact of life , the prisons are creaking with infidels--and it looks likely that more prisons will be built- rather like how many are flying up in the air in planes at any one time, well how many are in and out on Her Majesty's Pleasure!!
I can understand the anxiety felt by all the residents re bail hostels. I wonder what percentage of the connurbation have actually been locked up, I expect the figure will be quite high, so there fore one never knows who thy neigbour is really? assumptions like that are the same as asbos, or being tagged. Or let out under licence etc. Sad fact of life , the prisons are creaking with infidels--and it looks likely that more prisons will be built- rather like how many are flying up in the air in planes at any one time, well how many are in and out on Her Majesty's Pleasure!!
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
Print
Email this
Comment
