Prisons & Probation – Latest News:
- Wed, 11 Nov 2026 12:10:24 +0000: ‘I’d steal 10-15 times a day’: ex-offenders on the addictions driving prolific shoplifting - Prisons and probation | The Guardian
Former shoplifters say treatment and drug rehabilitation are essential to ending cycle of theft and imprisonment
When Rhys, 34, stole goods from shops across Birmingham, he would often leave notes for the staff apologising for his actions.
“I’d feel that guilty about it. I’d pass them notes, saying I’m so sorry about this,” he said. “But in the end, I was just that numb to it, and fearless as well. I’d walk in with a suitcase and ram everything into it, and not think twice about it.”
Continue reading... - Tue, 10 Nov 2026 19:19:25 +0000: The Guardian view on rough sleeping: Burnham’s laudable target is in danger of being missed | Editorial - Prisons and probation | The Guardian
Energetic mayors and councils can help street homeless people to rebuild their lives. But the underlying affordability crisis needs tackling too
Bringing an end to rough sleeping was among Andy Burnham’s first pledges after entering Downing Street – as it was when he became mayor of Manchester. With temperatures dropping, and frosts expected, winter night shelters across the UK are up and running. But an ongoing acute shortage of suitable housing and the latest tranche of early prisoner releases mean ministers know that the prime minister’s laudable target is in danger of being missed.
The official figures are shocking. There were 8,748 rough sleepers in England in June, an increase of about 1,000 since January (Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland collect data separately). These are among the most vulnerable people in society, both in terms of past experiences and future prospects, including drastically curtailed life expectancy. The complex and sometimes chaotic situations of people who end up on the streets, most of whom are men, mean that helping them is challenging. Family breakdown, substance misuse, mental health difficulties and prison are among the many adverse life experiences that rough sleepers are disproportionately likely to face.
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Continue reading... - Sat, 07 Nov 2026 07:00:06 +0000: Early release prisoners facing street homelessness, probation staff warn - Prisons and probation | The Guardian
Charities say situation exposes ‘fatal flaw’ in Andy Burnham’s plan to end rough sleeping in England by Christmas
In just four days James is facing the prospect of sleeping on the street. He was released from prison in August and given temporary probation accommodation in Somerset, but that is about to expire and he has nowhere to go.
“It is scary,” the 37-year-old said. “I am not asking for special treatment. But literally nowhere wants to help – I have contacted MPs, solicitors, probation and the council. I am quite tempted to just get myself recalled to prison because it is November. It is cold.”
Continue reading... - Sat, 07 Nov 2026 05:00:01 +0000: Stabbed, jailed, reborn: the chef who lost his love of food – then regained it behind bars - Prisons and probation | The Guardian
Nathaniel Mortley dreamed of opening his own restaurant, but ended up in jail for drug offences. Now he’s out, and doing his best to make up for lost time
At first he thought it was just a nasty punch, but Nathaniel Mortley soon realised he had been stabbed in the back. This was true in two senses. Figuratively, because he had been set up by a friend, and quite literally – since his back was gushing blood, as he saw reflected in the pub toilet mirror.
It was 2010 and hours earlier, he had been at a street festival in south London. Life was looking up: he had just achieved good exam grades (14 GCSEs) and things were going well with his girlfriend. It was the final week before sixth form began and Mortley, who was 16 at the time, was due to continue his academic success, having signed up for five A-levels.
Continue reading... - Mon, 02 Nov 2026 07:00:35 +0000: Domestic violence survivor living ‘in terror’ after attacker released without tag - Prisons and probation | The Guardian
Woman among hundreds asking why electronic trackers not fitted before offenders leave prison
A domestic violence survivor who was punched, threatened with a knife and had her front door kicked in by her former partner has been “living in terror” because he had still not been fitted with a tracking tag, weeks after his release from prison.
Michelle, 38, who now lives in a static caravan with her four children, said relatives were sleeping on her floor in case the man tried to attack again. He had been recalled to prison on several occasions before for breaching his probation conditions.
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