Homelessness and the early release of prisoners
What is happening?
Due to the overcrowding in Prisons, an Early Release Scheme has been set up in the UK.
The Government thought that this would help reduce the pressure on prisons and be a starting step of sorting out the Criminal Justice Systems overcrowding. The increase in sentence length is the main cause of overcrowding. The Crown Court (2023) stated the average sentence is 25% longer than in 2012.
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Justice said the early release system would give probation staff more time to prepare for prisoner’s release and set them up with housing and help. This has not been the case, as former inmates are now seen rough sleeping, and re-offending to get back into the prison.