Stricter rules on temporary release hitting prisoner rehab warn charities
Volunteer charities have complained that stricter rules for letting prisoners out on temporary release hamper their ability to fill placements designed to help rehabilitate inmates.
A joint briefing by the Prison Reform Trust and the Clinks organisation surveyed 39 volunteer and private sector providers of placements about how things have changed since a new policy was introduced last March.
The changes followed several instances of serious offending by people on temporary release in 2013 and a series of high-profile release failures in 2014.
Prisoners deemed to be at a higher risk of offending had to apply under an altered system and there was no presumption of release being granted for any prisoner under the new rules.
The majority of organisations surveyed – 65% – reported a decrease in the number of prisoners they had placed since, while almost 20% reported a small increase. Two said that their placements had “completely stopped” or become “almost impossible”.
About half of the organisations said the changes had affected them negatively and several complained that the new policy had not been explained to them.
The joint briefing said: “Less than 1% of releases on temporary licence fail and of these, only 6.1% involve an arrestable offence.
“This is the equivalent of five arrests per 100,000 releases.”
It recommended action to reverse the “sharp decline” in the number of people being granted temporary release for rehabilitation and called for a reduction in “unnecessary obstacles and delays” in the process.
It also suggested better communication and co-ordination and said more consistency in the policy would improve the situation.
The Prison Reform Trust said the survey results showed “the law of unintended consequences” at work.
Deputy director Peter Dawson said: “Changes made in a hurry by (former justice secretary) Chris Grayling to respond to high-profile failures are actually squandering the goodwill of employers who are willing to help prisoners go straight.”
Mr Dawson said he looked forward to a review of the policy that has been flagged by the National Offender Management Service.
Carol Davis, from the charity Sue Ryder, said providing work experience for prisoners was mutually beneficial.
“Not only does this help us raise vital funds for our healthcare, but it provides valuable opportunities to those wanting to break the cycle of crime and help make a positive contribution to the community,” she said.
A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman echoed those sentiments, saying temporary release helped ensure offenders did not return to crime when they left prison.
The ministry said: “We have got to make sure prisoners are rehabilitated properly, using tools like temporary release, so we reduce reoffending, cut crime and improve public safety.
“Public protection is our top priority and all offenders considered for temporary release need to be fully risk-assessed.”
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