More homeless prisoners released every year

More than 100 prisoners a month are released to sleep rough on the streets, MOJ figures show.

 

The report by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) reveal that 1,287 prisoners were released in 2018-19 to sleep rough on the streets. 3,455 of these offenders were classed as "homeless" and 8,480 were placed in an "unsettled" accommodation and at risk of being homeless. 

 

These figures represent more than ten percent of all prisoners released last year. It was also noted that there was a further 29,400 prisoners whose accommodation status was "unknown". This has almost trebled since the previous year.

 

Chief Inspector of Probation shares his concerns about threats to public safety and greater risks of reoffending. Justin Russell said: "There's the obvious danger that, if you are homeless, it will increase the risk you will reoffend. You can't make a benefit claim, you can't register with a GP, it's almost impossible to register for a job. It's the starting point for everything else to happen."

 

Mr Russell's concerns have also been reflected in the MOJ report. Figures show that more than half of the adult offenders released in 2016 who were homeless or sleeping rough went on to reoffend within the following year. 

 

Recent legislation which came into force in October 2018, under the Homelessness Reduction Act requires prisons to refer ex-inmates, who are sleeping rough, to the local authorities. 

 

However, it has been suggested that this rarely provides a solution. Charities who raise money for ex-inmates have pointed out that many offenders are "intentionally" homeless because they had been in prison and therefore are not helped by the local authorities.

 

The MOJ have said that an additional £22million will be spent to prevent offenders from sleeping rough on the streets. There is also a £6million scheme to help prisoners find suitable accommodation which is being piloted. 

 

 

The Johnson Partnership

Doncaster Crime Solicitors