§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what attempts were made to find accommodation for and generally rehabilitate those imprisoned in 1981 for vagrancy offences; and if any of them were received into prison for more than once in the year.
§ Mr. MayhewPrison and probation staff do all they can to help inmates cope with the problems that arise during imprisonment and with plans for resettlement. Persons who have been convicted of vagrancy offences are specifically asked on reception into prison whether they want help in finding accommodation on release, though in practice not many take advantage of this offer or stay more than a few days in accommodation that is found for them. I regret that information on the number of persons received into prison for vagrancy offences on more than one occasion during 1981 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.