GOVERNMENT data has shown there has been over a fifty per cent increase in homelessness for those leaving prison in Yorkshire and Humber.

The number of people homeless or threatened by homelessness on departure from custody has increased by 54.5 per cent compared to last year. This amounts to 680 people in the past year.

Campbell Robb, Chief Executive of Nacro, a social justice charity delivering services to people in and coming out of prison for over 50 years, said: “These figures show an urgent need for the government to invest in support and housing across the country for those leaving prison in the upcoming spending review.

"Leaving prison homeless increases the chance of reoffending and ends hope of rehabilitation. We want the government to ensure no-one leaves prison without a home to go to, giving people the best chance to get a job, rebuild relationships, and play a part in their local communities.

"This is even more important when many people leaving prison are coming out into a changed world in the grip of a global pandemic.”