Prison mental health firm's early-release concerns

Lisa Hillman said support for prisoners with mental health issues had been stretched by overcrowding

A company which supports prisoners with mental health needs has said the government's early release programme could result in some being freed before proper support is in place.

More than 1,700 inmates have been let out early in England and Wales to ease overcrowding in prisons.

Lisa Hillman, the managing director of Telford-based Komplex Community, said some offenders with mental health issues may not have been registered for clinical intervention or have a home when that happens.

She said she expected to see an increase in the number of referrals over the coming weeks or months as a result.

Komplex Community works with prisons, social services and probation services to provide support for people leaving prison with specific health needs.

Ms Hillman said around a third of the prison population has some form of mental health condition and that her company's work was "all about ensuring they can live safely in the community".

That included looking at health-related factors which might influence reoffending behaviours.

Ms Hillman said her company worked with jails across the country and added: "It varies from prison to prison, but overcrowding means the existing support is massively stretched."

Under the early release scheme, some offenders in England and Wales will be let out after completing 40% of their sentences.

The plan was triggered by the Labour government days after the general election, but officials had already been drawing it up when the Conservatives were in power.

Ms Hillman said: "We have got current inquiries around new clients which could be coming to us as a result of the early release programme" and said her company had the capacity to take them on.

She also said: "It’s sadly a reality that a number of offenders with high-level mental health issues may be released straight on to the streets meaning they are not registered for any clinical intervention or have a home."