Research has shown comparatively high rates of homelessness amongst the offending population, with various studies highlighting a strong connection between homelessness and reoffending (HMIP, 2020).
The impact of homelessness is magnified amongst the offending population, as settled accommodation is the foundation for other rehabilitative interventions. According to the Prisoner Crime Reduction Study, conducted with 1435 prisoners, “the majority (60%) of prisoners reported that having a place to live would help them to stop reoffending” (MoJ, 2014, p.5).
More recently, a report by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP, 2020) followed the journeys of 116 people in the year after they were released from prison; 16% were still homeless after 12 months and 15% were in unsettled housing. Of those released into unsettled accommodation, 63% were recalled or resentenced to custody within a year, compared to 35% who had settled accommodation. Additionally, 65% of those released into unsettled accommodation had reoffended, compared to 44% who had settled accommodation.
