Shadow Justice Minister Nick Timothy said: “Labour’s shambolic early release scheme is putting thousands of criminals back on to the streets, and their chaotic lack of planning means many released prisoners are now sleeping in tents.”
He added that rough sleeping was proven to increase reoffending and that the scheme was “putting public safety at risk.”
Reform UK’s prisons spokesman Zia Yusuf called the situation a “farce,” blaming the combination of early releases and housing pressures.
A Government spokesman said: “It is not Government policy to provide tents to people being released from prison who are at risk of being homeless. Tents are not, and should never be, an acceptable housing solution.
“The Prime Minister has made it clear that the Government is committed to ending rough sleeping. Backed by record investment in probation services, we’re helping those leaving prison to secure accommodation and move into work, as we work to halve prison leaver homelessness by the end of this Parliament, reduce reoffending, and keep the public safe.
“We’re also investing £47million in grassroots homelessness charities and community organisations, helping vulnerable people off the streets and into settled accommodation, alongside a national drive to end rough sleeping.”
