Prison, addiction and homelessness

Sir, – The problem of homelessness that faces prisoners on their release from custody was highlighted by Shauna Bowers (“Homeless prisoners: ‘It was better to be in prison than on the streets’”, News, August 18th).

The link between homelessness and repeated prison admissions can not be fully appreciated without considering the level of addiction and other mental health problems among this population. Addiction problems if not addressed result in homelessness and imprisonment. Prisoners may make considerable progress in dealing with their addiction problem during their sentence only to share accommodation in homeless shelters with those active in addiction on their release.

We spend considerable money on keeping people in custody or psychiatric units while addiction and mental health recovery services are starved of resources. Surely their has to be another way? – Yours, etc,

BRIAN McNULTY,