Big Issue understands that the local authority is attempting to find accommodation for the prison leaver under its Ending Rough Sleeping programme, which is part of Burnham’s efforts to offer all rough sleepers a route off the streets by Christmas.
James has been told that this “may be more challenging due to his offending history” and has been encouraged to look for properties in the private rented sector and apply for social housing.
A Somerset Council spokesperson said: “We are committed to ending rough sleeping in Somerset, with our aim being to prevent homelessness wherever possible. This is because we believe that no one should be without a place they can call home.
Keep reading the journalism that powers our mission
Register free to continue and learn more about the stories, campaigns and the support we provide, helping people facing poverty across the UK.
“While we cannot comment on individual cases, we have a statutory duty to work with people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to assess their circumstances, provide appropriate advice and support, and explore all suitable accommodation options for them.
“Anyone who needs help can self-refer to our housing teams through the homelessness referral and assessment page on our website.”
Read more:
James was released from HMP Fosse Way prison in Leicestershire in August after serving half of his sentence.
Having stable accommodation since then has helped him to make progress, he said.
“When I first arrived here, after spending over three-and-a-half years in prison, I was anxious, overwhelmed and frightened about starting my life again. But having somewhere safe to sleep, a structured routine, staff around me and people I can turn to has made an enormous difference,” he told Big Issue.
“I’ve started rebuilding my confidence, managing my mental health, engaging with professionals and learning how to live independently again. I’ve developed positive relationships with people here, especially those who have supported me through some incredibly difficult moments.
“For the first time in years, I started feeling I actually have a future. And that’s what frightens me so much about potentially being homeless.”
Big Issue has recently reported on how early releases to address prison overcrowding is a threat to Burnham’s ambition to end rough sleeping long-term.
As many as 1,000 prisoners a month are released into homelessness, according to Home Office figures, while analysis from social justice charity Nacro found half of rough sleepers have been in prison.
Enver Solomon, CEO of Nacro, the social justice charity, said: “With half of rough sleepers having spent time in prison, and hundreds of people a week released from prison into homelessness, it is clear that the government cannot end rough sleeping without ending prison leaver homelessness.
“Our experience at Nacro shows us that safe housing is one of the foundation stones of rehabilitation and therefore key to breaking the cycle of homelessness and reoffending. As central and local government roll out plans to get people off the street this winter, this needs to include dedicated support for people leaving prison, who may need additional support.
“This must go beyond the first night out. Move-on accommodation, enabling people to establish long-term stability, is critical to ensuring positive outcomes and must be prioritised as homelessness funds are allocated.”
Mike Trace, CEO of Forward Trust, told Big Issue that the government will have to improve accommodation and treatment for mental health and addiction issues if it is to prevent prison leavers sleeping rough.
He previously told Big Issue he believes dedicated funding is needed to address the issue, citing fears that prisoners would not be considered a priority in the race to get rough sleepers off the streets.
“’This story illustrates the problem with the prison early release schemes. Many prisoners are coming out with complex mental health and addiction problems, but without the treatment they need to prevent a quick return to prison,” said Trace.
“Even if they are provided with a short-term placement in a hostel, this rarely provides enough stability or support to break the cycle. Some of the funds being provided by Andy Burnham to end homelessness need to be used to get released prisoners into residential addiction treatment.”
The Ministry of Justice does make some accommodation available to prison leavers who face being released into homelessness.
Prison leavers can be offered a 12-week stay in temporary accommodation under the Community Accommodation Service Tier 3 (CAS3) scheme. A government spokesperson told Big Issue 35,800 prison leavers have been supported through the scheme since July 2021.
They added that overall responsibility for housing and homelessness lies with Local Authorities in both England and Wales. Prisons and probation have a duty to refer people to a local authority under the Homelessness Prevention Act if they are at risk of homelessness.
A government spokesperson said: “Stable housing and employment are vital to cutting reoffending and keeping the public safe. That’s why prison teams work with offenders before release to help them secure accommodation and prepare for work.
“We’re working with councils and charities to tackle prison-leaver homelessness, backed by record investment in probation and our drive to ensure anyone sleeping rough is offered a route off the streets or wider support by Christmas. Prison leavers can also receive support from specialist services after leaving temporary accommodation.
“We’re also training prisoners for work and partnering with hundreds of employers to help prison leavers move straight into jobs, so they can rebuild their lives and contribute to their communities.”
But for James, the anxious wait to see if he will be left to sleep rough goes on.
And it remains to be seen what stories like his may mean for Burnham’s Christmas rough sleeping pledge.
He said: “[The government] are trying to get everybody off the street but I don’t understand how they’re trying to get everybody off the street when they’re putting people on the street. I don’t understand it.”
Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us more.
Change a vendor’s life.
Buy from your local Big Issue vendor every week – and always take the magazine. It’s how vendors earn with dignity and move forward.
You can also support online:
Subscribe to the magazine or support our work with a monthly gift. Your support helps vendors earn, learn and thrive while strengthening our frontline services.
Thank you for standing with Big Issue vendors.
