Lecture 15: Release and Resettlement (Getting to the gate) Flashcards
What impacts when a prisoner will be released?
Sentence length and behaviour
What sentence type has a fixed release date set by a judge?
Determinate
What policy aims to ease prison overcrowding?
Home Detention Curfews
What sentence type requires prisoners to serve at least a minimum term before parole eligibility?
Discretionary life sentence
What body decides if indeterminate sentenced prisoners can be released?
The Parole Board
What sentence do offenders stay on for the rest of their life after release?
Discretionary life sentences
What reforms followed controversies regarding prisoner releases?
The Pitchfork Review
What background must the Parole Board include in its membership after recent reforms?
Senior police
What has the Parole Board had to provide after recent legal changes?
Public hearings
What motivated recent demands for Parole Board reform?
Public safety concerns
What does the Home Detention Curfew scheme aim to achieve?
Sentence reduction
What sentence type aims to protect the public from those deemed dangerous?
Extended sentences
What requires offenders to serve more of their sentence before automatic release?
Long determinate sentences over 7 years
What scheme allows electronically monitored home confinement prior to automatic release?
Home Detention Curfew
What sentences contain both a custodial term and extended licence period?
Extended sentences
What explains rising extended sentence usage?
Dangerousness reforms
What aim is to involve the public more in parole decisions?
Summary statements
What new power was introduced to allow greater ministerial scrutiny on the release of dangerous offenders?
The power to block their release in the interests of public safety
What change was made regarding the make up of Parole Board members?
Increase the number of members from policing backgrounds
What does the precautionary approach to prisoner release introduced in recent years allow?
To block a prisoner’s release or transfer by the Secretary of State
What is the purpose of the new third test for prisoners transferring to open conditions?
Not to undermine public evidence
Prisoners serving long minimum terms today are being released:
Late
What does ROTL stand for?
Release on Temporary Licence
What are the two main types of ROTL?
Resettlement Day Release and Resettlement Overnight Release
When can prisoners be granted a Resettlement Overnight Release licence?
In the 9 months before their release date
What main rule applies to prisoners accessing Resettlement Day Release licences?
They must have completed 3 months at the Category D prison
What is a main function of ROTL for prisoners?
To help them reintegrate into society
What guards the physical security of open prisons compared to closed prisons?
Minimal security features
According to research, what main emotional response do prisoners have on arriving at open prisons?
Overwhelmed
Why does the increased autonomy of open prisons cause issues for some prisoners?
Their previous coping mechanisms become redundant
How can failing to cope with open prison conditions impact prisoners?
They get sent back to closed conditions
What does research show some prisoners feel ROTL provides them?
A taste of freedom
What issue did an inspection report raise regarding ROTL?
It was undermining public confidence
What key part of “getting to the gate” does behaviour in open prisons and on ROTL play?
Parole decisions
What important preparation takes place for prisoners prior to release?
- ROTL risk assessment
- Security categorisation
- Parole suitability assessments
Why is transfer to open conditions and ROTL important for indeterminate sentenced prisoners?
To prepare for release into the community
