Early release prisoner says 'there's nowhere to go'

Terry Matthews says he was released seven days early from HMP Nottingham on Tuesday

An arsonist who was released early from prison as part of a government scheme claims some of his fellow inmates did not want to leave.

Terry Matthews, who left HMP Nottingham on Tuesday, was among more than 1,700 offenders in England and Wales released under the Ministry of Justice's emergency plan.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said the scheme was designed so probation staff had more time to prepare for a prisoner's release, including ensuring offenders have somewhere to live and are supported in work.

Matthews's victim, whose car he set on fire, says she is scared for her family after his release.

The woman, who did not want to reveal her identity, said: "I am worried he will turn up any minute and I have no idea what he will do.

"I'm concerned for the safety of everyone in the house. I don't feel safe now he's been released early."

Matthews said he would move into temporary accommodation on Friday

Matthews, formerly a roofer from Hucknall in Nottinghamshire, was given a one-year sentence when he appeared at Nottingham Crown Court earlier this year.

The 45-year-old, who had previously served three and a half months in prison for theft, was recalled to prison after he said he breached his licence conditions.

Following his release, he told the BBC he feared he was going to end up homeless.

But later the same day, Matthews was in his hotel room - paid for by local authorities - where he would stay for a couple of nights, and on Friday, he is due to move into supported accommodation in Derbyshire.

'Lump in throat'

He says prisoners leave jail with £5 spending money, a one-way ticket to wherever their probation is, and a discharge grant.

"There are people who have nowhere to go," Matthews added. "It's horrible, it upsets me. There's one person who walked back to the police station.

"There were people who were staying outside - who were living miles and miles away, like Manchester - who don't have anywhere to go, anywhere to live.

"And they have nothing, and they stay out in the street. It puts a lump in my throat."

He said being released was "brilliant", and described the prison conditions as "horrible".

"There's a lot of people getting released that you think 'no way they should be there'," he added.

"There are people who don't want to come out because they are going to be homeless."

The scheme, announced in July, involved offenders in prisons in England and Wales, who were serving sentences fewer than five years, being released on licence into the community after having served 40% of their sentences, instead of 50%.

Chief inspector of prisons Charlie Taylor said the government "had no choice but to do something" about overcrowding.

The MoJ added: "The new government inherited a justice system in crisis, with prisons on the point of collapse.

"It has been forced to introduce an early release programme to stop a crisis that would have overwhelmed the criminal justice system, meaning we would no longer be able to lock up dangerous criminals and protect the public."