More prisoners to be let out during the day to go to work

MORE offenders in open prisons are to be allowed out on day release under a relaxation of rules to increase the amount of paid work prisoners do in the community.

Ministers are changing the rules so offenders including killers and sex offenders will be eligible for release on temporary licence (ROTL) as soon as they arrive at an open prison, provided they pass a “rigorous” risk assessment overseen by the governor.

The aim is to boost offenders’ job prospects once they enter open prisons after serving most of their term in more secure closed jails.

The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) says research shows day release work significantly reduces reoffending and cuts the £15billion a year cost to the taxpayer of prisoners returning to crime.

Offenders previously had to wait until a year before their release to be eligible for paid work in the community and had to spend at least three months in an open prison before they were considered for ROTL.

They will also be allowed out overnight once they have successfully completed a period of day release. They were previously only eligible for overnight release when they were within nine months of release.

Officials said that on average only 1 per cent of offenders breach ROTL rules. Those that do face additional days in jail, can be returned to closed prisons, or prosecuted with a maximum term of two years.

David Gauke, the Justice Secretary, said: “Broadening access to training and work is a vital part of our strategy to steer offenders away from a life of crime and keep the public safe.”

ROTL numbers fell after a 2013 review led to rules on the scheme being tightened.

There were 366,868 incidences of release on temporary licence in England and Wales last year, involving 7,724 prisoners, down from more than 500,000 in 2013.