Prisoners freed early in England and Wales risk living on the streets, say probation officers

Warning of a lack of hostel places for 2,000 criminals due to be released over the next month to ease overcrowding

Hundreds of prisoners are due to be released early from jail on Thursday amid warnings that many will have nowhere to live and the probation system will struggle to monitor them.

About 2,000 criminals including domestic abusers and violent offenders are to be freed over the next month, with another 3,000 in stages over the next year to ease overcrowding. The number was reduced from 6,000 after an intervention by the prime minister, Andy Burnham.

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