Ripon House Approved Premises for Women

A New Approach in Working with Female Offenders

Ripon House is one of eight female-only Approved Premises in the country. We cater for female offenders aged 18+, on Bail, Community Order or Post Custody Licence. The hostel has a maximum capacity of 25 residents and provides both single and shared (2 person) rooms. Every resident is allocated a link worker who works closely with Partnership Agencies including the Probation Service and the Police to effectively manage the risk individual residents pose to the community. Residents with substance misuse problems are supported via the Shared Care Scheme and are worked with on a 1-1 basis to prevent relapse. Residents can also be linked in with a new exciting project in the community (Together Women Programme) for support, counselling and anger management work. Ripon House also offers a number of activities aimed to encourage personal development and community reintegration. Baroness Jean Corston, in her recent report (March 2007), indicated that there is a need for “every agency within the Criminal Justice System to prioritise and accelerate preparations to implement the gender equality duty and radically transform the way they deliver services for women.” At Ripon House we have a unique approach to working with women. We recognise that women must be treated differently to men in the Criminal Justice System.