HMP Bronzefield: Freed prisoners at risk of homelessness, watchdog says

A new employment hub helping women in the last few weeks of their sentences at HMP Bronzefield has been praised

Inmates leaving Britain's largest women's prison are at risk of homelessness because of a lack of housing options, a report says.

The lack of safe housing for those leaving HMP/YOI Bronzefield in Surrey was a "significant concern", it said.

The Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) said 67% of prisoners surveyed were being freed to "unstainable" accommodation.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has been approached for comment.

In its 2022-2023 annual report the IMB, said: "The transition from imprisonment to normal life already poses a significant challenge for many women.

"A lack of housing options not only puts these women at risk of homelessness, but also raises concerns about their well-being and future prospects."

The IMB said seven out of 10 probation roles were unfilled, but it praised a new employment hub.

The report added: "The shortage of probation service staff within the prison continues to hamper the effective management of high-risk prisoners, with only three out of 10 probation roles filled as of July 2023."

HMP Bronzefield holds more than 500 inmates and is the largest women's prison in Britain

A new employment hub in the prison was praised for providing help to prisoners during the last 12 weeks of their sentences with ID, banking and employment facilities.

The chair of IMB Bronzefield said: "The continued lack of safe and sustainable accommodation post-release for Bronzefield's prisoners, which is fundamental to providing a stable platform from which they can rebuild their lives, remains a significant concern.

"Although the new employment hub has helped to provide women with the skills and tools needed to secure and sustain employment, it is both of these resources that are needed to break the cycle of reoffending."

Sodexo Justice, which operates HMP/YOI Bronzefield near Ashford, Surrey, as well as the MoJ, have been approached for comment.

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