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Vicar's shed for ex-cons
A VICAR has been housing ex-offenders in a shed in the garden of his vicarage.
Rev Vic Iwanuschak said there is no housing for ex-cons and criticised policies by housing bosses which he says blocks those released from prison finding accommodation, and forces them back into a life of crime.
He told the YEP: "If a dog is found wandering the streets, it will be taken away, fed and looked after.
"But these are humans who are being left to roam the streets and fend for themselves. The situation is quite disgusting."
Mr Iwanuschak and parishioners from All Saints Church in Pontefract got involved after becoming aware of the problem last summer.
He added: "We kept coming across people sleeping rough in the church grounds and after speaking to them it became clear they were ex-offenders who had been refused accommodation by Wakefield District Housing.
"Despite our attempts to find them housing they continued to be turned down and had nowhere to go. In the end I had to let two of them live in the shed at the bottom of the vicarage garden.
"It might sound like a nightmare to most people but, compared to what they had to put up with, it was like a stay at the Hilton.
"It we do not help these people and continue to judge them after their punishment, it is only going to create further social problems."
One of the men, 31-year-old Craig Lewis, has still not been found accommodation six months later and now sleeps in the church hall on a nightly basis.
He was released from prison last year after being convicted of an offence of wounding after an incident in Harehills, Leeds, in 2003.
He said: "When I first went to the housing office I was told I had a points rating that would make me a priority.
"But when I filled in the forms and they found out I had been in prison I was practically put at the bottom of the list.
"Six months on and I am still no where nearer to getting re-housed. I can't get a job because I don't have a permanent address.
"I am so grateful that the church has taken me in and helped me so much. I have a roof over my head and people who are showing me support. But what I really want is a home so my seven-year-old daughter can come and visit me."
All Saints Church are now setting up the Saviour Trust and hope to form partnerships with housing associations and other key groups in a bid establish a support network for ex-offenders.
A long term goal is to build accommodation on the east side of the ancient church.
Last month All Saints had planning permission to build a new church hall within the ruins of the west side of the church.
Project manager Trevor West said: "The local probation service have to deal with around 800 ex-offenders per year in the Wakefield district. Something like one in three people are returning to crime because no proper housing can be found."
"We want to provide a mentoring scheme to help them with things such as reading, writing and preparing for job interviews.
"The government are supportive but say there is no public money available, so at the moment it is being paid for by donations to the church."
Imogen Johnson, manager of the Wakefield probation office, said: "It is extremely important for us to find suitable housing for offenders, as this is one of the major factors in preventing re-offending.
"We welcome this initiative by All Saints Church, and look forward to working with the Church alongside our partnership work with other housing providers in Pontefract."
Steve Rawson, Director of Operations for Wakefield and District Housing, said: "We work with a number of housing organisations that provide specialist housing support. We are always looking for innovative ways of supporting members of the diverse communities we serve.
"WDH have a responsibility to take a balanced approach to any proposed new schemes to ensure that the interests of everyone in the community are taken into consideration."
Any support groups or organisations interesting in becoming involved with the Saviour Trust should call 01977 600335 or e-mail info@iwanushak.triom.net
tony.gardner@ypn.co.uk
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Friday 10 February 2012
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