If Andy Burnham is serious about ending rough sleeping, he mustn’t overlook people leaving prison

The head of a rehabilitation charity writes that, while the pledge to offer everyone a route off the streets is welcome, there’s one section of society that is often forgotten in conversations like this.

Rough justice for prison leavers

If Andy Burnham is serious about ending rough sleeping, we cannot overlook the number of people leaving prison without somewhere to live. More than 1,000 people a month are released from prison into homelessness, a problem made more challenging by the recent early release schemes. I spoke to Big Issue about this, and praised the considerable efforts being made by probation teams and support services.

But the reality is that many of those released need more than advice and supervision to avoid a rapid return to prison. They need supported housing, and most also need mental health or addiction treatment. Getting this right would not only reduce homelessness, but also help reduce reoffending. Thanks to Liam Geraghty for highlighting this important issue.

Mike Trace CEO of Forward Trust

We hear frequently of loved ones released from prison and abandoned by the very system that should be supporting them. Some have even been recalled because they haven’t found anywhere to live. Others sent miles from home and the people who love them. They are set up for failure. Very sad and shameful of the authorities.

Drug and Alcohol Family Support, LinkedIn

So frustrating after all the investment in custody for someone to be released. Too many times in my career I’ve heard of people deliberately committing an offence just to get back into custody and have a roof over their head! 

Jessica Morley, LinkedIn

The hardest word

The transatlantic slave trade is so fundamental to capitalism that at least five of the seven men whose faces appear on United States banknotes were slaveholders. There are two arguments against reparations, one execrable and the other unanswerable. The execrable one is that Britain was successful in stamping it out, and therefore should not even apologise. The unanswerable one is that the slave trade funded Enclosure. Most white British people are descended from slaves’ contemporaries who were themselves little more than slaves.

There are never going to be reparations. But there should obviously be an apology. While Tony Blair did say something, in a monarchy the words of a politician are not sufficient. This needs to come from the top, as the king of the Netherlands accepted three years ago. 

David Lindsay

Mr Skelly

The centrefold in issue 1741 of the magazine, ‘sometimes the grass is greener where you water it’, is brilliant. Full marks to you and the artist. Keep up the good work. Kind regards,

Jeff Rogers

Read more:

• How the UK prison system ‘sets people up to fail’
• Prison crisis: Early release scheme could see hundreds of prisoners released into homelessness
• The failures of education in prison are criminal

Responses to: the autumn budget

The autumn budget delivers only smoke and mirrors. Minimum wage rise wiped out by frozen tax thresholds; £100 energy support wiped out by the January rises in energy prices. And the tariffs off certain foods does nothing to help with the cost of food.

Marin Shaw, Facebook

It didn’t deal with the greedy wealthy who abuse legal tax avoidance schemes. 

Andrew Bromley, Facebook

Still no wealth tax on the super-rich.

Fozia1q, Instagram

So the tax threshold continues to be frozen, effectively cutting low-income pensions and salaries, but Labour won’t tax billionaires.

maribradbury, Instagram

Responses to: Ingrid Newkirk, PETA founder

�O�O�OEveryone can follow her lead and help animals by never eating or wearing them.

luckypennysmom, Instagram

She makes the world a better place. 

mims_bekhechi

A true hero, and someone I deeply admire. She is what a true role model looks like. �š

saschameow, Instagram

She’s a take-no-prisoners animal rights fighter, through and through! 

jasonbakerhere, Instagram

There is something profound about recognising that another being’s life has value. Newkirk turned that recognition into action, proving how far a single compassionate awakening can travel. 

dutta_28, Instagram

Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us more. 

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