The new early release scheme for prisoners has ignited concerns about a surge in homelessness and re-offending. The plan, which aims to alleviate pressure on the prison system, will see thousands of inmates released early. The BBC has reported concerns that many of these individuals will struggle to find suitable accommodation upon their release.
The government said it had ‘inherited a justice system in crisis’, but concerns have been raised over released prisoners being unable to find accommodation. Former inmates recounted their experiences of homelessness and the challenges they faced in accessing support services.
Alan, who spent years on the streets after his release, described the cycle of re-offending and told the BBC ‘You end up getting into trouble again deliberately to get put back inside. It’s not a life that a lot of us want.’ HMIP reports prisoners intentionally re-offending to regain access to the shelter and support networks of prison.
NACRO, the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders, reported that ‘There has been a 12% increase in the number of people being released from prison in the past year (rising from 62,345 to 70,040) – and the number of people leaving into homelessness has risen 31% (from 7,055 to 9,210).’
NACRO further warned that the Government ‘must put in place special measures to house the thousands of extra people coming out of prison early in the Autumn. Otherwise, they risk swapping the prisons crisis with a homelessness crisis.’
The early release scheme has raised concerns among prison officials and charities. Charlie Taylor, the chief inspector of prisons in England and Wales, raised concerns a ‘sudden rush’ of former prisoners seeking accommodation ‘could increase homelessness’ and ‘they won’t be able to find accommodation,’ he told BBC.
The Ministry of Justice says it expects about 5,500 people will leave prison early over September and October, placing an additional strain on support schemes. Existing approaches to prevent homelessness, such as CAS-3 accommodation, have already been found to have no statistical impact.
A Ministry of Justice spokesman told the BBC that the new early release system would give ‘probation staff more time to prepare for a prisoner’s release’, including planning for their accommodation and working with local councils and charities to ‘avoid prisoners being released onto the streets’.
Vulnerable ex-prisoners do have priority need for homelessness support from councils; however, a spokesperson for the Local Government Association has said ‘while councils do everything they can to prevent homelessness, the shortage of affordable housing makes this increasingly difficult and a proportion of prisoners released will become homeless.’
