Freed prisoners 'becoming homeless'

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A report by shadow housing minister Grant Shapps said 12,000 prisoners in England and Wales were released on to the streets 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."