The strong links between homelessness, leaving prison, mental illness and substance abuse have been highlighted by an analysis of the Homeless Persons’ Legal Service (HPLS) Solicitor Advocate’s casework for the past two years.
Between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2011, the Solicitor Advocate assisted 179 clients. Of these clients:
- 45% disclosed they had a mental illness;
- 60% disclosed they had drug or alcohol dependency;?
- 69% had either a mental illness or dug/alcohol dependency;?
- 35% had both a mental illness and a drug/alcohol dependency;?
- 45% disclosed they had previously been in prison.
These results support the findings of previous research into the prevalence of mental illness, alcohol and drug issues, and other complex needs among the homeless population.
The results also support earlier findings of strong links between offending, re-offending, incarceration and homelessness.
In 2011, HPLS recommended to the NSW Sentencing Council and the NSW Law Reform Commission that suspended sentences should be maintained as a sentencing option. HPLS also recommended that intermediate sentencing options be expanded, particularly options that have therapeutic and remedial outcomes.
Doing so would help keep homeless people out of the prison system; it would also contribute to breaking the cycle between prison and homelessness.
HPLS will release further information about its prisons research project in mid-2013.
Photo: Flickr