A Guardian investigation has uncovered a record number of deaths occurring within two weeks of release from prison in England and Wales. In 2025, 77 individuals died within 14 days of being freed, marking a 28% increase from the 60 deaths recorded in the previous year and the highest figure since record-keeping began in 2021.
Homelessness as a Primary Driver
Experts attribute this crisis primarily to the rising number of prisoners released into homelessness. Analysis of Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) reports reveals that one in four of those who died had been released without stable housing. Ministry of Justice data further indicates that nearly 13,000 people left prison homeless or as rough sleepers in the year leading up to April 2025, a 39% increase from the prior year.
Case Studies Highlight the Tragedy
The reports detail harrowing cases, including that of Robert Barraclough, 47, who died the day after his release from HMP Nottingham in October 2022. He had expressed fears of sleeping in a tent in the cold and began self-harming while still incarcerated. Another case involves Darren Docherty, 48, who had a history of mental health issues and self-harm. He died by suicide six days after leaving HMP Stoke Heath in August 2023, having told his GP that the stress of homelessness was affecting his mental well-being. He had been living in a tent after being denied emergency accommodation by the council.
Expert Commentary
Enver Solomon, chief executive of the social justice charity Nacro, described these deaths as a 'hidden tragedy.' He stated, 'People come out of prison, they die and it goes unnoticed. These deaths are avoidable. We shouldn't see it as an inevitable consequence of the challenges people face.' Solomon emphasized that having a safe place to live and proper support can be a matter of life or death.
He pointed to shortages of social and supported housing, as well as the inaccessibility of the private rental sector, which often requires guarantors and deposits. 'We come across people who commit offences just to go back into custody for respite, knowing they will have a roof over their head, food, and access to medical care,' he added.
Historical Context
While directly comparable data is only available from 2021, research published in 2019 by the charity Inquest found that deaths under post-release supervision increased annually from 2014. Between 2010 and 2019, 2,297 people died amid major changes to probation services. The PPO began investigating deaths within 14 days of release in September 2021.
Underestimation and Recalls
The total number of deaths involving homeless ex-prisoners is likely underestimated, as over 100 PPO reports remain under investigation. Since September 2021, 308 deaths have been recorded within two weeks of release. Additionally, Ministry of Justice data shows that the number of prisoners on licence being recalled to prison hit a record high of 14,349 in the last quarter of 2023, with a quarter of these recalls due to 'failure to reside' at an approved address.
Pavan Dhaliwal, chief executive of Revolving Doors, a charity working with repeat offenders, stated that secure housing is essential for rehabilitation. 'Prisons are overcrowded, and sending people back because they lack accommodation is absurd. The prison gates should be a bridge to rehabilitation, not a trap door into crisis and crime,' she said.
Personal Accounts
The charity works with Stephen, 31, who has been in prison dozens of times over the past decade, often recalled for not having an approved address. 'They released me with a fiver in my pocket and put me on the streets. I slept in doorways. Sometimes I got arrested the same night,' he shared. His unstable living situation pushed him back into crime, as he couldn't find employment without a home. Despite seeking housing support in prison, waiting lists were so long that he received no help before release. 'Some people get out with a house and a partner, but if you're a single lad with nothing, you've got nothing,' he concluded.
