An increasing number of women leaving prison are struggling to find accommodation because of cuts to support services [Image: Andrew Aitchison/Corbis via Getty Images].

I think so.

I seem to recall writing that the oppressive nature of a system that actively tries to push people into the gutter – denying housing benefit via the Bedroom Tax; denying unemployment benefits via the Work Capability Assessment and the ever-more-bizarre conditionality of Jobseekers’ Allowance – would convince people that it was better to be a convict than a citizen.

My only surprise now is that honest people aren’t commiting crimes and confessing to them, in order to get the same treatment.

It is only a matter of time.

Charities working with women released from prison say that some are breaching their parole conditions or committing further crimes so that they will be returned to jail – because their lives on the outside are so bleak.

Many of the women seek a return to prison because they have nowhere to live, fear an abusive partner or have unmet mental health needs.

The trend – which is particularly notable around Christmas – highlights what campaigners say is a chronic lack of concern for the women’s welfare upon release.

Source: Vulnerable UK women choosing prison over life on the outside | Society | The Guardian

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