HC Deb 24 May 1973 vol 857 c118W
Mr. Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current cash benefit available to men and women leaving prison.

Mr. Carlisle

To meet immediate needs on the day of discharge or over a weekend a grant of up to £4 is payable under certain conditions to men and women released from prisons in England and Wales. For those who are homeless, a further payment of advance rent of up to £4 may be made to a person providing accommodation. These grants do not affect the eligibility of the prisoners to make immediate application for social security or unemployment benefit. Travel warrants or money for fares are provided for a prisoner's journey to his destination on discharge together with a subsistence allowance if he is not eligible for a discharge grant.