‘Systemic failure’ fuelling worsening homelessness and health among prison leavers in Newcastle

New research, released by homelessness charity Crisis, reveals the systemic failure leading to worsening homelessness and health among people leaving prison in Newcastle, with multiple barriers preventing them from accessing the support they need. This includes people released without anywhere to go and others placed in accommodation unsuitable for their health needs.

People experiencing homelessness face some of the most severe inequalities in their physical and mental health compared to the rest of society, with difficulties accessing healthcare when they need it. They’re more at risk of long-term physical health problems (63% compared to 22%), and more likely to be diagnosed with a mental health problem (82% compared to 12%*).

The #HealthNow report was led by three researchers with experience of homelessness as part of Crisis’ Homelessness Health Peer Advocacy service, supporting people with experience of homelessness to help others access the healthcare they need. The report’s findings will be presented in a dramatic interpretation by #HealthNow, featuring performers with experience of homelessness, on 10th March in Newcastle in front of a specially invited audience.

The researchers spoke to 29 people across Newcastle with experiences of homelessness who have been released from prison in the last four years. They shared a catalogue of appalling experiences trying to access healthcare which severely impacted on their mental and physical health and in some instances exacerbated their homelessness.

People reported a lack of support once they were released from prison, with no home for them to go to, forcing people into homelessness, and no healthcare plans in place. Two people interviewed for the research, Debbie** and Claire**, didn’t receive any support for their mental health while in prison, despite experiencing difficulties, and were both released without accommodation in place, pushing them into the instability and danger of homelessness. Debbie was rough sleeping and sofa surfing for a number of years, exposed to violent situations while continuing to struggle with poor mental health without support. While Claire experienced homelessness and mental health difficulties, she was the victim of abuse and rape. Both Debbie and Claire said having the security and stability of a home when they left prison would have helped prevent the horrific abuse.

Other research findings included people placed in unsuitable accommodation that didn’t accommodate their health needs. People also shared experiences of a lack of treatment and support for existing health issues during their time in prison, leading to declining health. Long waiting times delayed treatment and a lack of communication between services at prisons and in the community meant people treating them didn’t have information about their illnesses or medications. In some cases, medication prescribed before prison was denied once in prison, meaning their condition deteriorated. Some people said they didn’t pursue trying to get treatment because they felt there was no point due to the poor service provided. All this made it more difficult for people trying to resettle in the community, with some struggling to access GP services because of their homelessness.

Kurt**, who was interviewed for the research, shared the impact of being placed in temporary accommodation in a hostel before being moved to a flat. He said: “The prison won’t want to share (medical records) with the hostel, the hostel won’t want to share with the doctors. So, you are constantly explaining yourself again and again. And if you have had trauma in your life…like I was diagnosed with PTSD, and if you are talking about something like abuse, having to go and sit and explain again and again and talk about why you need therapy or help…that’s abusive in itself...

“When I moved in (to my flat), my back was hurting, my legs were really sore. I could barely bend over; my back was bad. I said I need a flat with a shower because I just find it really hard to climb out of a bath. So, I got a flat with a bath and no shower... The flat I have been put in is miles away...I will have to find somewhere without many stairs... I have got all these physical health issues now that I didn’t have. And a lot of mental health issues.”

Mark** struggled trying to access GP services after his prison release and spoke of the stigma he experienced for living in a hostel. He said: “The discrimination they have against people from that hostel is ridiculous. And you are just treated totally different. They judge you massively. Because they know I am from the hostel, so they know that I have come out of prison and I am on a script, so its automatically judged.”

Andrew Burnip, Director of Crisis Skylight Newcastle, said: “Everyone should have access to the healthcare they need, when they need it, and homelessness should never be a reason that prevents people from getting that help. But this research highlights the massive systemic failure, and the devastating consequences people suffer due to the lack of adequate housing and healthcare forcing them into insecure and unstable situations.

“Without suitable housing and additional support, people will continue to be forced into homelessness which will have an increasingly detrimental impact on their mental and physical health. Housing and appropriate support must be put in place for people before they leave prison. Only this will give people the security and foundation they need to help them move on with their lives.”

-Ends-

* Homeless Link, The Unhealthy State of Homelessness, 2022 

** Names have been changed to protect identities