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Imaginary Homelessness Prevention with Prison Leavers in Wales

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 November 2019

Iolo Madoc-Jones ,
Anya Ahmed ,
Caroline Hughes ,
Sarah Dubberley ,
Caro Gorden ,
Karen Washington-Dyer ,
Kelly Lockwood  and
Mark Wilding
Iolo Madoc-Jones
Affiliation:
Wrexham Glyndŵr University E-mail: i.m.jones@glyndwr.ac.uk
Anya Ahmed
Affiliation:
University of Salford E-mail: a.ahmed@salford.ac.uk
Caroline Hughes
Affiliation:
Wrexham Glyndŵr University E-mail: c.hughes@glyndwr.ac.uk
Sarah Dubberley
Affiliation:
Wrexham Glyndŵr University E-mail: s.dubberley@glyndwr.ac.uk
Caro Gorden
Affiliation:
Wrexham Glyndŵr University E-mail: c.gorden@glyndwr.ac.uk
Karen Washington-Dyer
Affiliation:
Wrexham Glyndŵr University E-mail: K.washington-dyer@glyndwr.ac.uk
Kelly Lockwood
Affiliation:
University of Salford E-mail: K.A.lockwood@salford.ac.uk
Mark Wilding
Affiliation:
University of Salford E-mail: m.a.wilding@salford.ac.uk
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Abstract

In this article we engage in a critical examination of how local authority Housing Solutions staff, newly placed centre stage in preventing homelessness amongst prison leavers in Wales, understand and go about their work. Drawing on Carlen’s concept of ‘imaginary penalities’ and Ugelvik’s notion of ‘legitimation work’ we suggest practice with this group can be ritualistic and underpinned by a focus on prison leavers’ responsibilities over their rights, and public protection over promoting resettlement. In response we advocate for less-punitive justice and housing policies, underpinned by the right to permanent housing for all prison leavers and wherein stable accommodation is understood as the starting point for resettlement. The analysis presented in this article provides insights to how homelessness policies could play out in jurisdictions where more joint working between housing and criminal justice agencies are being pursued and/or preventative approaches to managing homelessness are being considered.

Keywords

Prisonhomelessnessresettlementhousingprevention
Type
Themed Section: Homelessness Prevention in an International Policy Context
Information
Social Policy and Society , Volume 19 , Issue 1 , January 2020 , pp. 145 - 155
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 2019 

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