Indeterminate and long-term prisoners are dogged by stigma and ‘set up to fail’ on release, report warns
Released prisoners ‘not being given a fair opportunity to restart their lives’
- A report reveals that prisoners released from indefinite and long-term sentences face significant challenges, including stigma and difficulties securing housing and employment, often feeling "set up to fail".
- Many released individuals, particularly those on Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) terms, live under an "overwhelming" threat of recall to prison for minor breaches of their complex licence conditions.
- The Prison Reform Trust's new report calls for independent judicial oversight of recall decisions and more regular reviews of licence conditions to aid reintegration.
- Recommendations include pre-release training on essential life skills like using technology and online banking, alongside dedicated resettlement teams and a departure pack with basic necessities.
- The report emphasises that targeted support for individuals leaving long prison sentences is crucial for their successful reintegration, benefiting both the former prisoners and wider society.