A report from Cardiff University says hundreds of prisoners are being released into homelessness in Wales.
The report shows 543 people were released from Welsh prisons without a fixed address to return to in 2018/19. The report says the majority of those released from prison as homeless were at HMP Cardiff (327) followed by HMP Swansea (105); HMP Parc (85); HMP Berwyn (19); and HMP Prescoed (7).
Commenting on the report a spokesperson for the Welsh Liberal Democrats said:
“Far too many prisoners are released into homelessness. They 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 criminal justice system is fundamentally failing when people are reoffending just to get a meal or a place to sleep.
“We know that suitable housing is crucial to stop people reoffending and help them to build a life free from crime. So the Government must ensure arrangements are in place for housing before prisoners are released.
“To cut crime and make our communities safer, prisons must be places of rehabilitation and recovery, and that work must continue when people leave the prison gates.”
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