Questions about prison release changes
Find answers to common questions below.
The government has said the changes are being introduced to help manage prison capacity and overcrowding.
While some offenders may leave prison earlier than expected, this does not mean their sentence has ended.
Many offenders will continue serving part of their sentence in the community, and may still be supervised by probation.
If you're part of the Victim Contact Scheme, your victim liaison officer should be able to explain whether the changes affect the offender in your case.
If you're not opted into the scheme, you may be contacted directly by the government, who are seeking to contact all affected victims by letter to advise them that they can request information if they wish. If you're unsure about your options or how to request information, you can contact our Offender Release helpline for advice on 0808 168 9280.
Our helpline advisers can explain how to ask for information but cannot tell you whether a specific offender is affected.
In some cases, the law says that an offender can be released from prison automatically after serving part of their sentence.
The rest of their sentence is served in the community under certain conditions.
The changes being introduced affect when some offenders become eligible for automatic release.
The Progression Model is the name the government has given to these changes to prison release arrangements for those on Standard Determinate Sentences.
You may see it mentioned in letters, updates from the probation service, government information, or news coverage about prison releases.
If someone involved in your case is affected by these changes, your victim liaison officer can explain what information is available and what it means for you.
No. These changes do not apply to everyone in prison.
If you’re unsure whether the offender in your case is affected, your victim liaison officer can tell you what information is available and answer any questions you have.
Yes. The government has said that some offences are excluded from this change, these include rape, serious child sex offences, grooming offences, offences related to unlawful killing, and the offence of indecent assault. A full list of Sentencing Act offence exclusions is available on the government website.
If you are opted into the Victim Contact Scheme and have a Victim Liaison Officer (VLO), they may be able to provide information about the offender's sentence or release and discuss any concerns you have.
The Offender Release Helpline cannot provide information about a specific offender or case, but we can offer emotional support, practical guidance and help you understand what support and services may be available.
You may have been told that an offender was expected to be released on a certain date.
Learning that a release date may have changed can feel upsetting, frustrating or unsettling.
If you’re part of the Victim Contact Scheme, your victim liaison officer can tell you what information is available and answer your questions.
Our Offender Release Helpline advisers can also provide emotional support. You can call us on 0808 168 9280.
It can feel worrying to hear that someone is being released from prison. But being released does not always mean their sentence has ended.
Many people continue serving part of their sentence in the community after they leave prison. They may still have to follow strict rules about where they can go, who they can contact, and what they can do.
They may also have to stay in contact with probation and attend regular appointments.
Leaving prison does not always mean that someone is completely free of restrictions or supervision.
People who are released early may still have to stay in contact with probation and follow rules about what they can and cannot do. These rules will vary depending on the risks posed by the offender.
Licence conditions are rules that people must follow after they leave prison until the end of their sentence. Depending on the circumstances, these rules may place restrictions on who they can contact or where they can go.
For example, someone may be banned from entering a particular area, not allowed to contact certain people, or required to wear an electronic tag.
If someone does not follow these rules, they may be returned to prison.
Yes – when an offender is serving part of their sentence in the community, their license conditions (the rules they have to follow) may be reviewed or changed.
If an offender does not follow these their licence conditions (rules around their release), they may be returned to prison.
Yes. If an offender breaches their licence conditions or cannot be safely managed by probation in the community, they may be sent back to prison.
If you're opted into the Victim Contact Scheme, you may have the opportunity to give your views about licence conditions before the offender is released.
Your victim liaison officer can support you to give your views about licence conditions, if you wish to do so.
They can also explain what information may be shared as part of this process, and what will remain confidential.
For example, you may want to talk about places you're worried about the offender visiting, any concerns about being contacted, or anything else you feel is important for your safety and wellbeing.
The Victim Contact Scheme is provided by the probation service for some victims of serious violent and sexual crimes, as well as some bereaved relatives, where the offender receives a sentence of imprisonment of at least 12 months.
If you are eligible and join the scheme, you’ll have a dedicated victim liaison officer who can keep you updated about important stages of an offender’s sentence, which can include parole hearings and early information about their release from prison.
You can find out more about the Victim Contact Scheme on the government website.
A victim liaison officer (VLO) is a member of the probation service who supports victims who are part of the Victim Contact Scheme.
They can provide information about an offender’s sentence and release as appropriate, explain what information can be shared, and discuss any concerns you may have.
It’s understandable to feel worried, upset or anxious about the possibility of an offender being released.
Our Offender Release Helpline offers free emotional support and practical advice. You can call us on 0808 168 9280.
We cannot discuss whether your individual case is affected by the offender release changes, but we can listen and refer you to further support.
If you’re part of the Victim Contact Scheme, you can discuss your case with your victim liaison officer.
Children and young people may have questions or worries if they hear that an offender could be released earlier than expected.
If you’re a parent, carer or guardian, the child’s victim liaison officer may be able to discuss any concerns you have and explain what information can be shared.
Victim Support can provide emotional support and practical guidance on coping after crime for children, young people and their families.
If you call our Offender Release Helpline, you can choose the option for children and young people’s support to speak to the specialist team.
The child or young person may also be able to access The Future Me Programme – our online peer support programme for children and young people aged 8 to 17 who are affected by changes to prison release arrangements.
Our helpline advisers can provide more information on the programme and whether it may be suitable. Call us on 0808 168 9280.
No. We cannot provide information about an individual offender's sentence, release date or whether they are affected by these changes.
If you're part of the Victim Contact Scheme, your Victim Liaison Officer can tell you whether the changes affect the offender in your case.
If you're not part of the scheme, there may still be a way to ask for information if you are affected. The government are seeking to contact all victims affected to explain how to request information about their case.
Our Offender Release Helpline can also explain how to ask for information, but cannot tell you whether a specific offender is affected. You can call us for advice on 0808 168 9280.
Yes. Our Offender Release Helpline can provide emotional support, practical guidance and help accessing specialist services regardless of whether you are part of the Victim Contact Scheme.
