Half of people rough sleeping in England have spent time in prison, according to our new analysis. People who have spent time in prison are 40 times more likely to experience rough sleeping than those who have not.
The data shows that on a single night in October 2025, there were 4,793 rough sleepers in England, with forty-nine per cent [49] of those saying they had been in prison in the past.
The Government has committed to ending rough sleeping, but we are warning that without stable, safe accommodation, vulnerable people will continue to be pushed directly from custody onto the streets, significantly increasing their risk of exploitation and reoffending.
In particular, we are calling for:
- HMPPS to review the quality of day of release support to help those with higher support needs in the hours and days after they return to the community.
- Government funding to end rough sleeping to include a specific allocation for specialised services for people leaving prison.
- More support to enable people leaving prison to return to a family home unless it creates an unmanageable risk to do so.
Our new analysis highlights the depth of the housing crisis that if particularly acute for female prison leavers. The analysis has found that two in five women rough sleeping had spent time in prison. Of the 733 women rough sleeping on the snapshot day, 279 said they had spent time in prison in the past.
Women in prison have often experienced violence and disadvantage. More than half have suffered domestic abuse and have complex histories including trauma, discrimination, mental health issues, and traumatic brain injuries. Combined with the challenges all prison leavers face, such as substance misuse and difficulties reestablishing relationships, this means that women leaving prison often need specialist support.
We are calling for the Government to invest in intensive, women-specific services providing accommodation and support for those women at greatest risk of rough sleeping when they leave prison. Building on the Housing First model, these should provide wraparound support to allow women to gradually build up the skills and confidence needed to live independently.
Enver Solomon, Chief Executive of Nacro, said:
“It is unacceptable that people leaving prison are 40 times more likely to end up on the streets.
“There is still a major failure to support prison leavers, particularly women, at one of the most vulnerable moments in their lives.
“Our experience at Nacro shows us that safe housing is one of the foundation stones of rehabilitation and therefore key to breaking the cycle of homelessness and reoffending.
“Many women leaving prison have already faced significant trauma. It is vital that the Government’s much welcomed drive to end rough sleeping gives these people the support they need.”
