Prison life choice?

[Hceey]

I don't understand my DN. He is in prison and has been in and out for years on short sentences.

He comes out, lives in a homeless group for a bit, robs food and drink. No drugs to what I know to. He then goes back in prison at some point.

The whole thing is fucking ridiculous and I want to help him. But, I don't understand him and his way of thinking. The support from the system is not there. Yes, I don't know the full facts, I admit.

He comes out and does the same thing over and over. He has no support, they send him out and what? I don't understand how the system is meant to work?

He will be out soon with nothing, no home and no job. I think they give him some cash, but that's it.

I can offer him a sofa, but not long term. I cannot afford to support him though and so he will go back to robbing.

I feel useless.

AIBU to feel the system is shite?

I'm posting because I'm hoping to hear from someone who knows or been through this. Realistically, how hopeful is it he will ever get a job with his past?

Is his future really gonna be prison then retirement?

If you have a sofa, offer that to him. He repeats the cycle because its all he knows and tbh being in prison he’s getting shelter, food and drink plus hot showers. Its a horrible life to lead. If you could offer him some support this time around with strict boundaries then there might just be a chance. Ultimately its up to him to change his life around. I have a local homeless shelter in my city which helps support hundreds each year go from the street into accommodation and sometimes a job.

Why do you ask?

98% of them are innocent..... They were stitched up/wrongly accused/will be out on appeal soon.

98%? - that is very precise. Source of these statistics?

It was a tongue in cheek comment not an actual statistic, sorry if my sarcasm wasn't clear there, I forget at times that tone doesn't convey well on the internet.

How will he afford a bedsit?
My son is 28, works full time and has to rent in a shared home because on his full time earnings the estate agents say he can't afford a bedsit or 1 bed flat.

Sorry if someone has already mentioned it, but can he see if there's a Prison Employment Lead (PEL) at the prison he's at? They will be able to help him look for work if so. The system is shocking though. If he's in and out I assume he's being held for his recall sentences at a cat B reception prison? Frustratingly there are a lot of situations where we start working with men and then they get early release before we've had a chance to get everything in place. it's a constant battle.

https://key4life.org.uk/programme-overview/
Could these people help, OP?

I live SE and bedsits are similar price to nice house shares. I don't know what benefits people are entitled to. House shares also normal require deposits and guarantees where as bedsits don't and often run/subsided by charities/churches.

It depends where the OP is, there are places where a bed sit can be had for not very much.

I have experience of this excellent scheme. Sadly it did not work out for my relative as he did not have the cognitive skills to engage fully. I think it is quite localised too.

There's actually only a small percentage of the prison population who are hardened criminals that need to be locked up for years. The vast majority have come through the care system and are institutionalised with no support once it dumps them at 18, are from toxic family backgrounds with extreme trauma, have addiction issues or mental health issues or can not get off the revolving door situation of doing time then having no way of getting work or housing and having to stay doing crime. The cycle can be broken but it's hard. You have to be very sure he wants to. If he is not committed then don't get involved. If he is, then look for charities that can help along with all the statutory agencies. Charities help with housing and employment.
Don't get invested without him really wanting to change.

And all those without compassion. It can happen to any of us. Mental health breakdowns that are psychotic are often dealt with in the criminal justice system, desperation to feed or house yourself leads to poor decisions, trauma responses, addiction. The list is long and if you are not on it then be thankful because it's rare that it's some kind of moral fibre that keeps people on the straight and narrow, it's usually circumstances.

Unfortunately your brother's repeated incarcerations will mean he has been exposed to the hardened criminals and the drug pushers - they have no compunction about threatening others to do their dirty work. Extracting oneself from this mire is very very hard indeed, especially as it has been going on for years. Please be aware of the dangers of his possible associates - you do not want to bring this misery down on your family. Once they have you in their clutches you are pretty sunk, as it seems your brother is.

I am all for compassion - but compassion with your eyes open.

exactly, not answered where his parents are?
surely this is their problem,