Warning over 'homelessness trap' for freed prisoners » Housing » 24dash.com

More than 78,000 prisoners in the last four years have been freed without a home to go to, figures showed today.

A report by shadow housing minister Grant Shapps said 12,000 prisoners in England and Wales were released on to the street in 2005/06.

The figure included 1,122 from high-security prisons.

Tory Mr Shapps said: "Right now there's a revolving door from prison release to homelessness and often back into prison again.

"It's a trap which is letting everyone down and renders what little rehabilitation work goes on within prison virtually useless."

He added: "Ensuring that prisoners have adequate housing on release is fundamental to their re-integration into society and would dramatically reduce the rate of ex-prisoner re-offending.

"Failing to resolve this issue ultimately costs the taxpayer and local communities a fortune as everyone is forced to bear the consequences of increased 'bed and breakfast crime' where ex-prisoners re-offend in order to get a roof over their heads."

The highest number of inmates freed without a home address in 2005/06 came from Leeds Prison (463), followed by Exeter (416).

In the last four years the total of homeless inmates freed was 78,197, according to a survey conducted by the shadow minister.

The report said: "Homeless offenders present a number of challenges that extend beyond the lack of a stable and fixed address.

"It is therefore crucial that more is done to reduce the risk of prisoners losing their accommodation on arrest and that we make the necessary requirements to provide for those with nowhere to go on release."

The Ministry of Justice said the statistics referred to prisoners released without a permanent address and did not necessarily mean they were homeless.

A spokesman said: "We are committed to delivering settled housing to released prisoners to ensure we reduce reoffending and protect the public.

"The majority of prisons in England and Wales provide housing advice and all local prisons are required to conduct an initial housing needs assessment within an offender's first four days in custody."

The Government is giving more than £2 million to crime reduction charity Nacro to provide resettlement support to over 20,000 prisoners and is funding the South West Accommodation Gateway with £250,000 in 2008/9 to develop three one-stop-shops for information and advice, according to the spokesman.

The spokesman added: "We will be working with the Department for Communities and Local Government this year to improve rent deposit schemes for offenders and to provide housing advice for them. We are also providing £200,000 jointly with DCLG in 2008/9 to fund a project to prevent offender housing loss.

"A reducing reoffending housing and housing support resource pack has recently been published to improve support, including early assessment and action. Guidance has also just been published on the importance of housing on release for women prisoners, which covers practice to preserve housing."