Liberal Democrats reveal that half of prisoners are abandoned on release

Bedford Borough Liberal Democrat Homelessness campaigner Tim Caswell has revealed that more than 100,000 prisoners across England and Wales left prison for "unsettled" or "unknown" accommodation in the last three years, almost half of the 220,411 prisoners released in that period.

Tim said the new figures proved "Many of those released without accomodation will have to sleep rough or endure other forms of homelessness and this group is much more likely to reoffend than those who have stable housing upon release."

Figures acquired by the Liberal Democrats through freedom of information reveal that HMP Bedford released 70% of its prisoners to unsettled or unknown accommodation in two-year period from April 2015 to March 2017, one of the highest proportion of any prison.

Tim said "To prevent reoffending, prisons should be places of rehabilitation and recovery, and that work must continue when offenders leave the prison gates. The thousands of people who have nowhere to go upon release are less likely to be able to get a job or have access to education or healthcare. It's hardly surprising that some turn to stealing or even choose to go back to prison for the sake of a warm, dry bed. The Liberal Democrats have consistently argued that the Government must ensure arrangements are in place for housing, healthcare and benefits when people leave prison."