Lecture 15: Release and Resettlement (Getting to the gate)

Question 1

What impacts when a prisoner will be released?

Answer 1

Sentence length and behaviour

Question 2

What sentence type has a fixed release date set by a judge?

Answer 2

Determinate

Question 3

What policy aims to ease prison overcrowding?

Answer 3

Home Detention Curfews

Question 4

What sentence type requires prisoners to serve at least a minimum term before parole eligibility?

Answer 4

Discretionary life sentence

Question 5

What body decides if indeterminate sentenced prisoners can be released?

Answer 5

The Parole Board

Question 6

What sentence do offenders stay on for the rest of their life after release?

Answer 6

Discretionary life sentences

Question 7

What reforms followed controversies regarding prisoner releases?

Answer 7

The Pitchfork Review

Question 8

What background must the Parole Board include in its membership after recent reforms?

Answer 8

Senior police

Question 9

What has the Parole Board had to provide after recent legal changes?

Answer 9

Public hearings

Question 10

What motivated recent demands for Parole Board reform?

Answer 10

Public safety concerns

Question 11

What does the Home Detention Curfew scheme aim to achieve?

Answer 11

Sentence reduction

Question 12

What sentence type aims to protect the public from those deemed dangerous?

Answer 12

Extended sentences

Question 13

What requires offenders to serve more of their sentence before automatic release?

Answer 13

Long determinate sentences over 7 years

Question 14

What scheme allows electronically monitored home confinement prior to automatic release?

Answer 14

Home Detention Curfew

Question 15

What sentences contain both a custodial term and extended licence period?

Answer 15

Extended sentences

Question 16

What explains rising extended sentence usage?

Answer 16

Dangerousness reforms

Question 17

What aim is to involve the public more in parole decisions?

Answer 17

Summary statements

Question 18

What new power was introduced to allow greater ministerial scrutiny on the release of dangerous offenders?

Answer 18

The power to block their release in the interests of public safety

Question 19

What change was made regarding the make up of Parole Board members?

Answer 19

Increase the number of members from policing backgrounds

Question 19

What does the precautionary approach to prisoner release introduced in recent years allow?

Answer 19

To block a prisoner’s release or transfer by the Secretary of State

Question 20

What is the purpose of the new third test for prisoners transferring to open conditions?

Answer 20

Not to undermine public evidence

Question 21

Prisoners serving long minimum terms today are being released:

Answer 21

Late

Question 22

What does ROTL stand for?

Answer 22

Release on Temporary Licence

Question 23

What are the two main types of ROTL?

Answer 23

Resettlement Day Release and Resettlement Overnight Release

Question 24

When can prisoners be granted a Resettlement Overnight Release licence?

Answer 24

In the 9 months before their release date

Question 25

What main rule applies to prisoners accessing Resettlement Day Release licences?

Answer 25

They must have completed 3 months at the Category D prison

Question 26

What is a main function of ROTL for prisoners?

Answer 26

To help them reintegrate into society

Question 27

What guards the physical security of open prisons compared to closed prisons?

Answer 27

Minimal security features

Question 28

According to research, what main emotional response do prisoners have on arriving at open prisons?

Answer 28

Overwhelmed

Question 29

Why does the increased autonomy of open prisons cause issues for some prisoners?

Answer 29

Their previous coping mechanisms become redundant

Question 30

How can failing to cope with open prison conditions impact prisoners?

Answer 30

They get sent back to closed conditions

Question 31

What does research show some prisoners feel ROTL provides them?

Answer 31

A taste of freedom

Question 32

What issue did an inspection report raise regarding ROTL?

Answer 32

It was undermining public confidence

Question 33

What key part of “getting to the gate” does behaviour in open prisons and on ROTL play?

Answer 33

Parole decisions

Question 34

What important preparation takes place for prisoners prior to release?

Answer 34

• ROTL risk assessment
• Security categorisation
• Parole suitability assessments

Question 35

Why is transfer to open conditions and ROTL important for indeterminate sentenced prisoners?

Answer 35

To prepare for release into the community