Early release scheme is welcome but the hard work starts now to prevent prison leavers ending up back behind bars

From Tuesday next week, people will begin to be let out of prison under the new early release scheme announced by the Justice Secretary in July. 
 
The Government is taking swift and decisive action to deal with the emergency-level prison crisis left by the last administration. The early release scheme is a serious step but the consequences of failing to act now could be nothing short of catastrophic. Prisons are almost completely full.
 
For the last few weeks prison staff have been working flat out to identify prisoners who are eligible and to plan for their release. We should thank them for their dedication and swift action to get the scheme operational in such a short period of time.  
 
However, if we want to prevent prison leavers ending up back behind bars, the hard work starts now. Recall rates have shot up in recent years as people on probation are sent back to prison for breaching their licence conditions or reoffending. Around one in seven people currently in prison have previously been released and recalled. 
 
Probation staff play a huge role in ensuring prison leavers get the support they need to resettle in the community. They already face huge demands and will now be placed under even greater pressure. 
 
The Justice Secretary has taken the welcome step of announcing the recruitment of 1,000 extra probation staff, but these will take time to arrive. In the meantime, there is a real concern that prison leavers may not get the support they need.  
 
In the longer-term, more investment is needed to make sure that people leave prison with the support they need to make a fresh start. A prison leaver’s most effective resettlement agency is often their family, who help them to get back on their feet and find a home and a job. If we’re serious about creating a sustainable justice system that works for everyone, investment in family services should be a priority.
 
In the meantime, Pact will continue to work with prisons and our partners do everything we can to support people leaving prison to resettle into communities and avoid re-offending.

Andy Keen-Downs, CEO Pact