Recommendation 105

Witnesses told us about the “multiple and complex needs” of ‘prolific’ offenders. 193 For instance, Rebecca Robson told us that “mental health problems are very common in what we call prolific offenders, together with poor experiences of the education system and the care system”; she also spoke of “poverty” and of ‘prolific’ offenders having no “safety net” among their relatives to turn to. 194 Carrie Peters told us that “substance misuse is also very common” and that “there is a big link between shoplifting and homelessness, as well as lack of family, lack of support and, of course, debt and poverty”. 195