The report from Throughcare shows that of the prisoners who got advice, 78% didn’t go back to prison within two years of being released. This is a phenomenal achievement and should make us all think about the difference a home can make – whether to prison leavers, those leaving the armed forces or just those who need to get back on their feet.

Spending time in prison makes you more likely to face homelessness and a lack of a safe place to stay increases your chances of ending up in prison again. With each prisoner place costing around £30,000 a year and each case of homelessness conservatively estimated to cost £5,000, the savings to the public purse are clear.

It’s time to break the vicious cycle of reoffending by making sure everyone has a place to call home, from which to rebuild their lives.

David Duke

Formerly homeless and founder of Street Soccer Scotland

Member of the Scottish Government’s Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group