Tackling Rough Sleeping

Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for Housing and Local Government – in the Senedd at 2:25 pm on 20 February 2019.

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Photo of Leanne Wood Leanne Wood Plaid Cymru 2:25, 20 February 2019

I'd like to return to the question of HMP Cardiff inmates committing offences upon release just so they can have a roof over their heads. Labour in Government have a track record of promising to solve this problem. In December 2015, communities Minister Lesley Griffiths pledged that prisoners facing homelessness would receive support 56 days before their release. In launching the national pathway that she claimed put Wales ahead of the rest of the UK, she said

'There is no doubt a stable accommodation situation is a key factor in helping to break the cycle of offending.'

Then, there was the framework launched last year by local government Minister Alun Davies to provide positive change for those at risk of offending. He trumpeted the Government's commitment to reduce—and I quote:

'offending and reoffending, to help ensure our communities remain safe.'

We've had plenty of warm words from previous Ministers in the past, but as the independent monitoring board report from last week illustrated, the future for many inmates remains seriously grim and bleak upon release from prison. How will you ensure that your new initiatives fare better than your previous initiatives?