THE Government is planning a series of "super-hostels" to house up to 100 violent and sexual offenders in each after their release from prison, it was reported today.
The BBC Radio 4 Today programme said it had seen a Home Office briefing document setting out plans for the units, which would be much larger than the 100 hostels currently housing 12-30 people each in England and Wales.
An expansion of the hostel network is thought to be part of Home Secretary Charles Clarke's plans to increase supervision of dangerous criminals after they leave jail.
According to the BBC, the super-hostels would be established on existing criminal justice sites - possibly within prisons - to limit opposition from local communities.
The units would be secure and residents could be required to remain inside overnight. But they would be free to come and go during the day.
The proposals come amid concern over recent cases in which criminals freed on licence have committed murders - such as the killings of Reading teenager Mary-Ann Leneghan and London banker John Monckton.
