Where will they live when they get out?

"Coming home" is not always to your home. Many people leave prison to a hostel, a supervised house, or approved premises. Here is what the different kinds mean and how to help.

These rules cover England and Wales. In Scotland or Northern Ireland? Start here.

Why they might not come straight home

For people released on licence, probation controls where they live, to manage risk. The home address has to be approved, and it can be refused, for example if children or a victim live nearby. If there is no approved address, the person is placed somewhere else. That is where these names come in.

The kinds of accommodation

NameWhat it is
Approved premises (AP), or CAS-1 Supervised accommodation, once called a probation hostel, for higher-risk people on licence. Staff, curfew and rules, for a set period.
CAS-2 Housing for people on bail or on a tag (HDC) who would otherwise have nowhere suitable.
CAS-3 Up to about 12 weeks of accommodation for people leaving prison who would otherwise be homeless, with help to find somewhere longer term.

arranges all of these. Families do not book them, but you can and should raise a suitable address early.

If the tag address is refused

A tag address has to be checked, and everyone living there has to agree. It gets refused more often than families expect: an unsuitable property, a victim living nearby, someone at the address objecting, or risk grounds. If your address is refused, the person may go to CAS-2 or an approved premises instead of home. Getting a solid, agreed address lined up early is the most useful thing you can do.

If homelessness is looming

Do not leave it to release day. Months ahead:

Stable housing is one of the biggest things that stops someone going back inside, so it is worth the fight. See also recall explained and the benefits checklist.

Common questions

What is an approved premises (AP)?

An approved premises, once called a probation hostel, is supervised accommodation for higher-risk people leaving prison on licence. There are staff, a curfew and rules. People do not choose to go there, probation directs it as part of managing risk. It is usually for a set period before moving on to other housing.

What is the difference between CAS-1, CAS-2 and CAS-3?

They are tiers of the Community Accommodation Service. CAS-1 is approved premises. CAS-2 provides housing for people on bail or on a tag (HDC) who would otherwise have nowhere suitable. CAS-3 gives up to about 12 weeks of accommodation to people leaving prison who would otherwise be homeless, with support to find somewhere longer term. Probation arranges these, not the family.

Why was our address refused for the tag?

A tag (HDC) address has to be checked and approved, and everyone living there has to agree. It can be refused if the address is not suitable, if a victim lives nearby, if someone at the address objects, or on risk grounds. If the home address is refused, the person may be sent to CAS-2 or an approved premises instead. Sorting a solid address early is the single most useful thing families can do.

Check tag eligibility

They are going to be homeless on release. What can be done?

Tell the prison's resettlement team and their probation officer as early as possible, ideally months before release. They can refer to CAS-3 for people at risk of homelessness. The person can also make a homelessness application to the local council, which has duties to help certain people. Shelter's free helpline is very good on this.

Can they just come and live with me?

Often yes, if you are willing and the address is approved. But for people on licence, probation has to approve the address, and it can be refused on risk grounds, for example if children live there or a victim is nearby. Raise your address with the prison and probation early so it can be checked in time.

Checked: 15 July 2026 We update this page when the rules change.