Recommendation 4

Being homeless makes it difficult to comply with the requirements of a community order. For those sent to prison, perhaps after the breach of a community order, custody can make their situation worse. They are likely to lose their accommodation—having stable housing is crucial to being in employment, and to access support networks. Without these, it is more likely that an offender will reoffend. Community sentences do not cut offenders from their support network or employment, which may enable maintaining suitable accommodation.