Nacro Warns Prison Homelessness Threatens Rough Sleeping Goals

The social justice charity Nacro reports that a surge in homelessness among former prisoners is jeopardizing Prime Minister Andy Burnham's pledge to end rough sleeping in England. Data analysis reveals that 15,155 people released from prison in England and Wales between April 2025 and March 2026 lacked housing, representing nearly one in six leavers. This figure marks an 18% annual increase and the highest rate in five years.

Factors contributing to the rise include short sentences, inadequate housing planning, and early release schemes. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government cited substandard accommodation and poor training among housing staff. Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor found that up to 30% of prisoners lacked a settled address, complicating the transition back into society.

Nacro emphasizes the link between housing and crime, noting that 75% of those released into homelessness reoffend within a year, compared to 33% of those with a home. While the government has allocated £340 million to combat rough sleeping and aims to halve prison leaver homelessness by 2029, officials admit the prison system is on the brink of collapse.