Chapter 2 The development of OASys Section 3: Accommodation There is clear evidence that lack of permanent decent accommodation is related to re-offending. Those of no fixed abode or who are living in hostels, especially hostels with other offenders, are more likely to offend. Those who have many changes of address are more likely to re-offend. Accommodation can also be seen as a proxy measure for social exclusion. Not having a postal address can have serious and widespread consequences. Living in a high crime area is an environmental factor that can affect the rate of re-offending .
A sudden change of accommodation status can lead to a significant change in likelihood of reconviction very quickly, so this section is one of the most ‘dynamic’ areas in OASys. Carlisle (1996), when discussing the housing needs of ex-prisoners, reviewed research that clearly showed a link between unsuitable accommodation and the rate of reconviction. Section 4: Education, training and employability Research demonstrates that offenders are less well educated and less well trained than other groups in society (Palmer & Hollin, 1995).
This link is thought to be mainly due to poor educational abilities limiting the opportunity to obtain work, but may also relate to general functioning in society which makes demands for ever higher levels of literacy and numeracy . However, the research evidence remains ambiguous as to whether improvements in literacy, numeracy and vocational skills actually reduce the risk of reconviction. Some studies have demonstrated that increasing basic skills may reduce the risk of reconviction for some groups (Porporino, 1989; Harer, 1994; Clark, 1999) but other research has failed to demonstrate this link (Palmer & Hollin, 1995).
The education and training questions attempt not only to identify the educational needs of offenders but also their attitudes towards education and vocational training. Difficulties highlighted in this section should lead to further specialised assessment. Research is unanimous that unemployment is closely linked with re- offending and high rates of recidivism (Finn, 1998; May, 1999). Unemployment is clearly a criminogenic need (MacKensie, 1997). Offenders are more likely to be unemployed, to have a poor or spasmodic history of employment, and to express views unsupportive of the work ethos. The employability questions tend to measure both the history of employment and attitudes to work.
Gendreau, Little and Coggin (1996) found that social achievement in any field of education or employment was a protective factor reducing the likelihood of recidivism. This suggests that the link between unemployment and re-offending is not only monetary based, but may involve the lack of status and social inclusion that being in work can bestow . Changes in employment status are closely linked to likelihood of reconviction. OASys Manual V2 © Crown Copyright 2002 Page 15