Selected offenders’ release will be brought early by up to 48 hours as part of a package of prison reforms announced today (14 June 2022), which also includes a £25 million investment in security measures, to prevent them from relapsing into a life of crime.
According to statistics, one in every three offenders currently leaves jail on a Friday, allowing them only a few hours to find a place to sleep, register with a doctor, and sign up for job support before services close for the weekend.
This race against the clock can result in ex-offenders spending their first days on the streets with little support, increasing their chances of committing new crimes.
Offenders with severe mental health needs or addiction problems, as well as those with mobility issues, who are likely to end up homeless or who have a long journey home, will be released on the Wednesday or Thursday before their Friday release date, with strict security screenings in place, according to plans announced today by Prisons Minister Victoria Atkins.
The measure is projected to result in a considerable reduction in the number of crimes committed each year, resulting in fewer victims, lower crime, and safer streets.
Victoria Atkins, the Minister of Prisons, said:
Changing the laws to allow well-behaved convicts to be freed a day or two before the conclusion of their sentence will result in fewer victims and less crime in the long run.
Ex-offenders will be significantly more likely to stay on the straight and narrow if they can find suitable housing and support before the weekend, minimizing reoffending and making our streets safer.
Nacro’s chief executive, Campbell Robb, stated:
Friday releases have been setting people up to fail for far too long. The experience of our workers and service users drove our campaign to halt Friday releases, and we are glad to see this change. It is critical that this is available to anyone who requires it.
People will now have valuable extra time during the week to get housing, register with probation, and seek health care. This will improve people’s chances of getting a second opportunity.
The statement is part of a major reform package contained in the government’s response to a public consultation on its Prisons Strategy White Paper, which was released in December of last year.
Ministers have also announced a new £25 million investment in prison security, which will equip front-line workers with updated, cutting-edge phone detectors, stepping up the campaign against mobile phones behind bars.
The funds will also be used to considerably boost the number of unique devices that can detect microscopic smears of illegal substances like spice on convicts’ letters, preventing hazardous drugs from making their way onto wings and causing mayhem.
According to the newest numbers, the government’s prior £100 million investment in prison security has blocked over 20,000 drug, phone, and weapon smuggling attempts in the last two years.