Changes to help reduce reoffending by making sure vulnerable
prison leavers get ample time to access vital support services
will be introduced under a new bill that gained government
support today (2 December).
- new law to significantly reduce Friday releases from prison
moves closer to statute book
- bill to reduce reoffending by ending race against clock to
secure vital support ahead of weekend
- hundreds of crimes to be prevented in boost to public safety
Around 1 in 3 prisoners leave prison on a Friday – giving them
just a few short hours to find a bed for the night, register with
a GP and sign up for job support before services close for the
weekend.
This race against the clock can leave ex-offenders homeless and
without support, increasing their chances of committing further
crimes.
This is particularly true for ex-offenders with substance misuse
problems, mental health issues or at real risk of homelessness.
Ex-offenders with safe accommodation are around 50% less likely
to slip back into a life of criminality.
Under Offenders (Day of Release from Detention) Private Members
Bill, which passed second reading today, offenders scheduled for
release on a Friday who also have mental health issues, substance
misuse problems, or far to travel home will be released on
Wednesday or Thursday instead, following strict security checks.
The bill was brought forward by and delivers on the
government’s pledge Prisons Strategy White Paper, published in
December last year.
Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary,
said:
Protecting the public is my top priority and we know access to
housing, job support and substance misuse services are crucial in
helping ex-offenders stay on the straight and narrow.
By ending Friday releases for certain prisoners we will reduce
reoffending and cut crime, making our communities safer.
Prisons Minister, , said:
Ending Friday releases for prisoners at risk of reoffending is a
common-sense change that will ultimately result in less crime and
fewer victims.
This is just the latest way in which we will drive down the £18
billion cost of reoffending, alongside tougher monitoring, better
education and drug treatment.
The government has already made considerable progress in tackling
stubborn reoffending rates, which have decreased over the past 10
years from 30.9% in 2009/10 to 25.6% in 2019/20.
The Prisons Strategy White Paper also outlines a package of
sweeping reforms to skill up offenders to find work on release,
tackle substance misuse problems and create 20,000 modern places
in order to cut crime and keep the public safe.
This includes bolstering links between prisons and employers and
ensuring prisoners can find work on release through a dedicated
Prisoner Education Service to raise levels of literacy, numeracy,
skills and qualifications.
Nacro chief executive, Campbell Robb, said:
Our campaign to end Friday prison releases was driven by the
experience of our service users and our staff, and we are really
pleased to see this small, but significant change one step closer
to becoming law. For too long, Friday releases have been setting
people up to fail.
Through this legislation, people with high resettlement needs
will have that vital extra time during the working week to access
the services they need – including securing housing, registering
with a GP, meeting probation and accessing health services. This
will give people the best chance at a second chance and play a
role in helping to reduce reoffending.
Alongside this, prisons have also rolled out tough new security
measures which have thwarted over 20,000 plots to smuggle drugs,
phones, and weapons into prisons over the past 2 years. The
department will invest £75 million a year by 2024/25 in expanding
the use of alcohol monitoring tags and £780 million in treatment
for offenders addicted to alcohol or drugs.
Notes to editors
- Early release would also apply to prisoners due to be
released before a bank holiday
- The ultimate decision will be down to governors, who will
have the discretion to agree to an earlier release date
