Rough sleeping in district rises due to prison releases

A rise in rough sleeping across part of Nottinghamshire is partly due to prison releases, it has been revealed.

A rough sleeping count conducted last week found eight people sleeping on the streets of Newark and Sherwood – a figure that is “a lot higher” than records over the past two years according to Claire Barlow, senior housing options officer at Newark and Sherwood District Council.

Last year, just five people were found sleeping rough in the same period.

Ms Barlow said while all rough sleepers are known to the authority, they are complex individuals who require the right offer for them, including appropriate accommodation pathways.

“We need to wait until they are wanting to work with us as well,” she added.

During a council meeting on Monday (October 26), Cheska Asman, homelessness strategy officer, said three people found sleeping rough had just recently been released from prison.

According to the Government, an average of 1,000 prisoners were found sleeping rough on the night following their release in the year April 2024 to March 2025.

This represented around 14 per cent of all prisoners released every month over that period, and marked an increase of approximately 40 per cent compared to 2023/24.

Charities across the country have been reporting an increase in prison leavers sleeping rough in part due to the government’s early-release plan, which has been aiming to reduce overcrowding.

The Ministry of Justice has said it is aiming to reduce prison leaver homelessness by half by 2029.

Despite the rise in rough sleeping, Newark and Sherwood District Council said it has prevented and relieved the risk of possible homelessness for around 300 households.

The average stay in temporary accommodation is currently less than 10 weeks, and no families have been placed in bed and breakfast accommodation “at all”.

Ms Barlow added: “Our primary reason for having such successful outcomes is due to us having a dedicated landlord liaison officer who has built strong links with landlords within the private rented sector, and we’ve also recently recruited a dedicated homelessness prevention officer to strengthen our early intervention work, mediation, home visits and partnership working.”

On Sunday (October 25) Prime Minister Andy Burnham set out plans to ensure everyone sleeping rough will be offered a route off the street or wider support before Christmas.

Additional funding will be set out at the budget later this week, with the aim of bringing the total investment behind the commitment to £874 million by the end of the current Parliamentary term.

Claire McGonigle, chief executive of homelessness charity Framework, added: “We were delighted when the government first announced its ambition to ensure every rough sleeper has a route off the streets, and it is encouraging to see that ambition backed by increased investment.

“Across the homelessness sector, there has long been concern about the uncertainty created by short-term funding. If we are serious about reducing rough sleeping, services need the stability that sustained investment provides. Progress is built over years, not funding cycles.”