A man who was released onto Durham's streets died from a drug overdose the day after leaving prison. 

Lewis Skelton, 24, died in September 2024, the day after being released from HMP Durham. 

He had spent months in and out of prisons in the North East, for stealing, breaking release terms, and a range of other offences. 

In prison, healthcare staff identified that Skelton was dependent on multiple drugs - and put him on methadone schemes to help with withdrawal. 

But before he was released, no one was able to offer him accommodation. Due to his behaviour in previous properties, neither social housing nor private landlords were willing to house Skelton, and his family did not want to house him following his recall to prison. 

As a result, Skelton was released homeless. 

After being released on September 22, 2022, he stayed with a friend where they both drank alcohol and took drugs, disregarding advice that Skelton's tolerance to drugs would have decreased during his time in prison. 

The next morning, Skelton began to cough and vomit up blood, before becoming unresponsive.

Quickly, his friend gave him CPR and called an ambulance, but it was too late, and paramedics pronounced him dead at 8.27 am.

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 A new report from the Prison and Probation Ombudsman said: "Homelessness on release from prison is a significant and complex challenge.

"While prison and probation staff can submit referrals to local authorities and charities, there are occasions when beds are not available, or the individual does not meet the eligibility criteria for housing

"The provision of suitable accommodation for people leaving prison is an issue that extends beyond the remit of Durham and local probation services, and the local authority may want to be aware of the issues raised in this case."