Approved Premises

Approved Premises (formerly known as Probation & Bail Hostels) are premises approved under Section 13 of the Offender Management Act 2007. The term currently applies to 100 former Probation and Bail Hostels, providing over 2000 bed spaces, managed by the Probation Service or by Voluntary Organisations.

Approved Premises offer residential provision to selected offenders and some bailees in order to provide enhanced levels of protection to the public and reduce the likelihood of further offending.
Approved Premises work to National Standards and Approved Premises Regulations 2001. They provide enhanced residential supervision by:

• Working closely with offender managers and MAPPA
  
• Providing 24hr staff oversight
• Monitoring curfews and ensuring compliance with rigorously enforced rules
• Undertaking ongoing observation and assessment of attitudes and behaviour
• Providing programmes of regular supervision, support and monitoring aimed at reducing offending behaviour and risk to the public

Approved Premises cater for men and women in some mixed but primarily single sex provision. There are a small number of "women only" Approved premises throughout the country.