Hundreds of bail hostels are being opened in residential neighbourhoods without public consultation as part of moves to ease jail overcrowding.

People living next door to properties earmarked for suspected criminals and prisoners released early from jail are only told when the premises are about to take their first inhabitants.

Since the privately run hostels will not have live-in staff, neighbours are given a number to phone in the event of problems, according to a document leaked to The Times. Local councils will only be consulted on the “suitability” of a building to house up to five ex-prisoners and suspects granted bail.

Unlike approved premises run by the Probation Service, such private premises do not provide 24-hour supervision but rely on “self-government” by residents, with “floating support officers providing support as required”, the document said.

Nick Herbert, the Shadow Justice Secretary, said: “The Government has failed to provide enough prison capacity so they’ve devised a covert plan to set up what amount to mini open jails in residential areas while avoiding consultation with the public.” Homeless offenders needed a long-term resettlement programme, he added.

A protocol drawn up by ClearSprings, the company awarded the contract to provide the hostels, discloses how ex-prisoners and people on bail are to be housed in private accommodation with minimum public scrutiny. Inquiries from the media must be “treated with caution”, it states.

The housing is for suspects who would otherwise be on remand and offenders released from jail with a tag up to 4½ months early. The company is able to avoid seeking full planning permission because the accommodation is private property for up to five people. The council needs only ensure that the premises are “fit for purpose”.

ClearSprings is required to consult the local council, police and Probation Service when acquiring the property. Only a police objection will automatically lead to a site being abandoned.

Councils are given five days to indicate whether premises are suitable; failure to reply is taken as approval.

After the final inspection, “ClearSprings will introduce themselves to immediate neighbours and provide 24hour contact details. If unable to make contact, ClearSprings will leave an introductory letter,” the protocol says.

People convicted or suspected of violent or sexual offences cannot be housed under the scheme.

The Local Government Association said: “Councillors have long been saying they should be properly involved in decisions about where to locate bail hostels. Council leaders have told ClearSprings and the Ministry of Justice that it’s unreasonable to expect councils to be able to talk to local people and respond in such a short space of time.”

While last night the Ministry of Justice said that the protocol had been withdrawn, David Hanson, the Justice Minister, has in the past made clear to Parliament that ClearSprings is not required to consult with the community before opening a bail hostel. A spokesman for the ministry said that the protocol had not been “formally ratified” with it and had been withdrawn pending discussions with the association next month.

Mr Hanson said earlier: “The Government remains committed to ensuring that ClearSprings are reminded of the importance of fulfilling their obligations to consult with local authorities, the police and probation.” He made no reference to consultation with the public.

— Crime maps showing offences committed in every neighbourhood in England and Wales have been published on the internet by police. The maps show levels of burglary, car crime, robbery and other offences, and how areas compare. Vernon Coaker, the Police Minister, said he hoped that they would “empower” communities and help to make the police more accountable. The Police Federation expressed concern that the statistics “may feed local criminal intelligence”.

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