The Phoenix Project
The Phoenix Project provides specialist supported accommodation for male prison leavers with complex mental health needs, helping them reintegrate into the community and reduce reoffending.
In partnership with:
Why is the project needed?
When leaving prison and re-entering the community, individuals often experience disruptions in their mental healthcare. Without this support, the risk of mental health relapse increases, which can lead to reoffending.
Those with serious mental illness (including schizophrenia, bipolar and schizoaffective disorders) encounter greater challenges securing accommodation, finding employment, and maintaining relationships. Upon release, many face homelessness or insecure living arrangements that fail to meet their support needs. As a result, some individuals may intentionally reoffend as they perceive prison as a safer environment.
The Housing Solution
The Phoenix Project combines specialist support and housing for male ex-offenders in the West Midlands who have enduring and complex mental health problems, including dual diagnoses of mental health conditions and substance use disorders.
To bridge the gap between prison and the community, the project provides participants with interim accommodation and support to manage their mental health challenges, helping to reduce the risk of reoffending.
As part of the model, individuals are expected to stay in the property for 6-12 months or until they are ready for independent living. After this period, they will continue to receive community outreach support for an extended time.
Dedicated support staff provide tailored one-on-one and group support to help individuals develop the skills necessary to reintegrate into the community. This includes crisis management support, as well as assistance with accessing employment opportunities, navigating legal and administrative issues, and improving digital literacy.
Key Statistics
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As of 29 February 2024, around 1 in 7 prisoners across England had an identified mental health condition.
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Among prisoners in England and Wales, 56% of men and 74% of women reported having mental health challenges between April 2024 and March 2025.
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On average, 1,000 prison leavers were released into homelessness each month in the year leading up to March 2025.
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Recent data shows that individuals who left prison without accommodation in 2022 had almost double the proven reoffending rate of those who had settled housing.
" By providing specialist support to ensure continuity with mental health care on release from prison, we aim to reduce instances of mental health relapse, which often lead to offending behaviour."
Gaynor Brooke, Director of Services at Servol
Project progress
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The project welcomed its first tenants in November 2025, with full occupancy expected by early 2026.
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Over the next three years, researchers at the consultancy Just Ideas will capture learnings from the project's innovative approach to supporting ex-offenders with complex mental health needs.
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