UK early prison releases risk homelessness, probation strain

England and Wales will release ~2,000 prisoners early over the next month, with 3,000 more staged over a year, to ease overcrowding. Probation officers warn of a lack of hostel places, leaving many without housing and unmonitored. The scale was reduced from 6,000 after PM intervention, but the systemic risk of reoffending and public safety concerns remain.