The early release of prisoners is putting significant pressure on a Welsh city, Cardiff, as the second-highest number of expected releases in England and Wales are causing strain on local services. Cardiff Council officials expressed receiving varying reports almost daily regarding the number of prison leavers requiring support, which is adding pressure to already stretched services. At a recent council meeting, it was highlighted that housing and homelessness services are particularly affected by the early release of prisoners.
To address the housing needs of released prisoners, the council is planning to acquire additional accommodation, including a hotel, student housing, and a house of multiple occupation. The temporary accommodation options in the city are already at full capacity, with reports of having to support 11 prison leavers in a single day on September 10. Councillors are questioning the logic behind releasing all prisoners on the same day, suggesting a staggered approach over several months would be more manageable for all involved parties.
The early release schemes, such as the End of Custody Supervised Licence and the Standard Determinate Sentence 40 scheme, introduced by the UK Government to alleviate prison overcrowding, are contributing to the increased number of released prisoners needing support in Cardiff. The council is expecting another wave of released prisoners on October 22, 2024, further straining resources.
Cardiff Council officials highlighted the challenges of receiving changing lists of prisoners, each with different risks, making planning and coordination more complex. The council is actively working to find suitable housing solutions for the influx of released prisoners, amidst an existing waiting list of around 8,000 people in need of housing support.
The pressure on Cardiff Council’s housing and homelessness services is expected to increase with the acceleration of decision-making on asylum applications, potentially adding more individuals in need of housing assistance to the council’s workload. As the council navigates these challenges, efforts are being made to streamline support services and collaborate with relevant agencies to manage the influx of individuals requiring housing assistance effectively.