Ben Everitt, the MP for Milton Keynes North, has backed a Bill in Parliament which would help prevent released prisoners reoffending by giving them second chance in life
Plan are being put forward for a new law by Simon Fell, the Conservative MP for Barrow and Furness, through a Private Members’ Bill.
Talking about his commitment to help those ex-prisoners who want to change their lives, Simon said the Offenders (Day of Release from Detention) Bill is a simple law that could make a big difference to those who have just been released and want a fresh start away from crime.
Simon said: “Currently people released from prison on Fridays face a race against time to access their probation worker and support on issues such as housing, benefits, and healthcare before the weekend. This leaves some temporarily homeless, and at a heightened risk of reoffending.
“One in every three offenders is released on a Friday despite them facing these challenges and the data showing that offenders released just before a weekend or bank holiday face a higher rate of re-offending.
“My Bill gives prison governors the discretion to release vulnerable offenders up to 48 hours earlier so that they can access the statutory services they most need, and to cut reoffending.
“I have seen through my work on the Home Affairs Committee, and to talking to charities in Furness, just what Friday releases can mean - nights on the streets, a return to offending, and criminal gangs all too willing to swoop in and help, but with a heavy cost.
“This simple change in the law will cut reoffending, save the criminal justice system time and money, and improve outcomes for offenders who have served their time.”
Ben Everitt MP spoke in favour of the Bill during its Second Reading in the House of Commons on Friday (2nd December) and focussed on them important issue of preventing people leaving prison homeless.
He commented: "Leaving prison is a hugely significant transition for offenders and once people are out it takes them so long to adapt so starting on the right foot is so important. It's vitally important of course to get them into stable accommodation.
"In 2022, two in three of those released from prison were released homeless and when this happens, those immediately released homeless are more likely to reoffend so that cycle continues.
"So I welcome the Government's new accommodation service which is being rolled out across England and Wales which will support thousands of prison leavers at this crucial time in their life and give them the foundation to work on rebuilding themselves.
"It is critical that we end the cycle between leaving prison and becoming homeless."
