MoJ slashes time offenders should spend in hostels after being launched
Supervision of offenders in probation hostels after they have been released from jail has been cut back in the latest measure to tackle overcrowding.
The Ministry of Justice has reduced the length of time that most offenders spend under supervision in government-approved hostels in England and Wales from 12 weeks to eight weeks.
Plans to release thousands of prisoners early have raised issues about hostel capacity and officials have decided to cut the maximum time that lower risk offenders can stay in approved premises where their behaviour is monitored by key workers.
The development comes after the Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood revealed that 5,500 prisoners would be released in September and October to tackle overcrowding.
Legislation was introduced this week for the early release scheme under which criminals will serve 40 per cent of their sentences rather than being freed at the halfway point.
The Ministry of Justice has reduced the amount of time prisoners spend in hostels from 12 to 8 weeks
But union officials have warned that this will put further pressure on staff to find ‘move on’ accommodation for cases and reduce the robustness of release plans in terms of public protection.
There are more than 100 approved premises across England and Wales supervising about 2,000 criminals deemed too dangerous to release straight into the community.
Offenders need to sign in and out and account for their whereabouts, can be monitored for drugs and alcohol, and can be searched by staff.
Refusing to stay in approved premises is considered a breach of licence and can result in a recall to prison.
Staff in approved premises are expected to monitor and manage the risk posed by freed prisoners.
They may also help them find jobs, accommodation and provide activities intended to help with reducing reoffending.
Since the last Government’s early release scheme, when about 10,000 prisoners were released up to 70 days early in 2023 and 2024, many approved premises have reached capacity.
An undercover BBC Panorama investigation in May showed two dangerous convicted criminals running away from a probation hostel in Kent.
Shabana Mahmood (pictured before being sworn in as Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain at the High Court) is the newly-appointed Secretary of State for Justice
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: ‘The prison system is in crisis which is putting significant pressure on the whole justice system.
‘This Government is now gripping the situation and is recruiting 1,000 more probation officers to deliver robust supervision and protect the public.
‘These changes to Approved Premises apply only to carefully assessed lower-risk offenders in the Approved Premises cohort, considered on a case-by-case basis.’
