Ex-prisoners could be housed in budget hotels as '400 released in London alone'

A former prisoner walking free from HMP Brixton holding bags
-Credit: (Image: Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)


Former prisoners released early under a Government scheme could be housed in budget hotels, a minister has said. The Justice Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, told MPs this afternoon (Tuesday, September 10) that ex-inmates who are homeless could be temporarily placed in taxpayer-funded hotels if there is not enough space in bail hostels and other community accommodation.

It comes as photos taken outside HMP Brixton in South London today (Monday, September 9) have shown people being set free sooner than planned with smiles on their faces. Videos posted online have also shown celebrations outside HMP Wandsworth as former prisoners were reunited with family and friends.

These included sparkling wine being sprayed. PA reports that around 400 prisoners are said to be due to be freed from London prisons alone. These latest releases are in addition to the around 1,000 inmates normally freed each week.

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People seen outside HM Prison Brixton in London
People seen outside HM Prison Brixton in London as prisoners are released early -Credit:Jeff Moore/PA Wire

Ms Mahmood announced plans in July to temporarily cut the proportion of sentences which inmates must serve behind bars from 50 per cent to 40 per cent as the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said overcrowding had pushed jails to the 'point of collapse'.

Telling the House of Commons today that the scheme coming into force was the start of the 'rescue effort' for the justice system, she added: "I have authorised probation directors to make use of alternative arrangements including budget hotels as a temporary measure, for the cases that we will see in the next few weeks."

The Conservatives have said the Government has 'badly managed' the early release of prisoners, leading to 'serious public concern'. Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, and Tory leadership candidate, Mel Stride, told the BBC: "We're not getting satisfactory answers as to whether appropriate accommodation is actually being provided for those prisoners that are being released. And in the even it is not, we know the chances of reoffending increase very significantly."

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