Housing pressures hold ex‑offenders back - charity

A charity which helps ex-offenders says demand for its services grew in 2025, with housing remaining the toughest challenge.

Guernsey Caring for Ex‑Offenders said in its annual report that it had helped 114 people over the year and saw rising use of its Caves Activities Centre, where ex‑offenders come for crafts, furniture restoration, gardening and social contact.

The team helped more than 22 people find or keep a roof over their heads in flats, bedsits or shared lodging, said the charity.

"Accommodation continues to be one of the most challenging and difficult issues to resolve for people leaving prison," said the report.

The charity had attended a series of project workshops run by the Home Affairs department looking at better accommodation planning for the future.

"Although in it's infancy, we hope this initial analysis work will develop into tangible solutions in the coming years," said the report.

The charity also supported 205 job applications and helped secure 16 jobs, while working with prison and probation teams.

The charity, which marked its 10th anniversary in March, said about 36 people used the Caves regularly, including those who joined weekly walks that ended with coffee at different cafes around the island.

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