Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Women Leaving Prison: Resettlement

Tuesday 22 September 2020 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Statistics show 4.2% of female prison releases were to rough sleeping and 14% as other homeless
  • Invested an additional 22 million a year over the remaining life of community rehabilitation company contracts to deliver enhanced through-the-gate resettlement services
  • Added specific funding for women, including 5 million into community services addressing criminality and 2.5 million in further support

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Carolyn Harris Lab Neath and Swansea East
Justice & Courts Housing Local Government
Context

The independent monitoring board reported that almost 60% of female prisoners are leaving prison to homelessness, which leads to reoffending. The need for an effective through-the-gate strategy is highlighted.

Question

Almost 60% of female prisoners are leaving prison to homelessness, overwhelmingly leading to reoffending. To give these women a chance in life we need an effective through-the-gate strategy including community support and adequate housing, so can we expect the autumn statement to deliver extra resources to allow that to happen?

Answer from Lucy Frazer

Statistics show 4.2% of female prison releases were to rough sleeping and 14% as other homeless, but these numbers are too high. We are talking to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and a spending review is coming up; Members have heard about our commitment from the Lord Chancellor.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific extra resources for autumn statement were not committed to.

How: We Are Talking To The Ministry Of Housing, Communities And Local Government, Spending Review Is Coming Up

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Q2 Carolyn Harris Lab Neath and Swansea East
Justice & Courts Women & Equalities
Context

The hon. Member has spoken regularly about residential women's centres, which are a vital part of the female offender strategy.

Question

What steps is he taking to improve resettlement for women leaving prison?

Answer from Lucy Frazer

Invested an additional £22 million a year over the remaining life of community rehabilitation company contracts to deliver enhanced through-the-gate resettlement services. Added specific funding for women, including £5 million into community services addressing criminality and £2.5 million in further support.

Answered
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