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Parole and Prisoners' Release: Safety

Answer

The changes to early release were necessary because the Government inherited a prison system that was days from collapse. We had no choice but to take decisive action to stop our prisons overflowing and keep the public safe. The Sentencing Act 2026 will deliver a more sustainable solution to the prison capacity crisis including through the progression model which will help ensure there are always enough places for the courts to be able to send people to custody to keep the public safe.

The progression model amends the release points for offenders serving Standard Determinate Sentences only. The more serious offenders deemed dangerous by the courts and serving parole-eligible sentences including Extended Determinate Sentences or life sentences are unaffected. In all parole-eligible cases, the court prescribes a minimum period that the offender must spend in custody as punishment after which they become eligible to be considered for release on licence. They will only be released if the independent Parole Board for England and Wales is satisfied that they no longer need to be detained for the protection of the public.

Prisoners released under the progression model, and all those released by the Parole Board, are subject to strict licence conditions and are liable to be recalled to custody by the Probation Service if they breach the terms of their licence.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

15959

Session

2026-27

Subjects

Parole Prisoners' release Safety

Link

View this Written question on www.parliament.uk