An investigation has found that prisoners were being released into homelessness, sometimes with only tents for shelter, under consecutive Tory governments. Reports indicate that both male and female ex-offenders faced such circumstances, highlighting systemic challenges in the prison and probation services during this time. The Independent
In 2016, it was reported that HMP Bronzefield, a women’s prison in Surrey, provided some departing inmates with tents and sleeping bags due to a lack of available housing options. This situation arose as the number of women leaving the prison with settled accommodation decreased from 95.5% in 2014 to 83.7% in 2015. The Ministry of Justice stated that the responsibility for ensuring housing availability ultimately lies with local authorities. The Independent Invisible People Big Issue
By 2017, the Prison Reform Trust found that approximately 50-60% of women released from HMP Bronzefield were leaving without fixed accommodation. Despite letters provided to local authorities, these women were not prioritised for housing, leading to a desperate shortage of hostel and social housing options. This lack of support increased the risk of them living rough and being vulnerable to abuse. Reddit Invisible People Big Issue
In recent years, the situation has not improved significantly. Between 2015 and 2018, more than 100,000 UK prisoners were released without proper housing arrangements, often left to fend for themselves. Media reports since 2016 have repeatedly highlighted cases of individuals leaving prison with only tents and sleeping bags for shelter. Invisible People The Independent Invisible People
In 2023, reports emerged that female prisoners released under the government’s early release scheme were being given tents to sleep in due to a lack of stable accommodation. Community groups and homelessness projects near women’s prisons, such as HMP New Hall in West Yorkshire and HMP Styal in Cheshire, have been distributing tents to these women. The Ministry of Justice, however, stated that all former inmates at risk of homelessness are offered up to 12 weeks of temporary accommodation. Invisible People Reddit The Independent
Overall, successive Conservative governments continued the release of prisoners into homelessness, with some being provided only tents for shelter, underscoring the need for comprehensive reforms to address housing shortages and support the successful reintegration of ex-offenders into society.
If you have been impacted in this way, please let us know by getting in touch.
