Housing capacity concerns after prisoners' release

Councillor Jo Farrell said measures were in place should a lot of former prisoners head to Blackpool

Concerns have been raised that the early release of hundreds of prisoners could lead to many heading for Blackpool attracted by cheap accommodation - with housing capacity not able to keep up.

Earlier in September about 1,750 offenders were released early under an emergency plan by the Ministry of Justice to ease overcrowding in jails, with more inmates expected to be released in October.

Councillor Carl Mitchell warned a full meeting of Blackpool Council: “With three prisons within a 30-mile radius, with the belief of cheap accommodation, many of these could be heading to Blackpool."

However, council bosses said there was a “clear pathway” to deal with any influx.

Mr Mitchell asked: “What are we doing about housing for people who come here and is anything planned to support the infrastructure which is already being stretched?”

Councillor Jo Farrell, cabinet member for communities and wellbeing, said measures would in place if necessary.

Earlier in September about 1,750 offenders were released early from their sentences

She said: “I shared your concerns when I heard the news about prison leavers, but the numbers have not been coming to Blackpool.

“We have got a clear pathway for dealing with our prison leavers and the support they need.

"We have a housing duty to support the people that have a local need, but what we are doing is relocating the people who are turning up in Blackpool because we don’t have a housing duty to house them.”

The council has a duty to support people with a local connection, which includes having lived in Blackpool for three years.

Those who do not have a local connection are helped to move back to their home towns.

Under the emergency plans announced in July, offenders in jails in England and Wales serving sentences of fewer than five years have been released on licence into the community after completing 40% of their jail sentence, compared to the usual 50%.

The scheme does not include those who have committed more serious offences involving violence and also excludes sex offenders and domestic abusers.