The Government introduced changes to prison release arrangements through the Sentencing Act 2026 as part of a range of measures to ease capacity issues in prisons across England and Wales.

While the changes have been bought in under the Sentencing Act, this approach is often referred to as the early release scheme.

The Progression Model applies where prisoners are serving a Standard Determinate Sentence.

An offender’s sentence will have three stages:

• Stage 1: Prison
• Stage 2: Intensive supervision in the community
• Stage 3: Final period on licence in the community

The Progression Model changes the amount of time offenders will spend in prison (stage 1) before entering intensive supervision in the community (stage 2).

The changes do not apply to more than 18,000 offenders.

For a list of offences that this model does not apply to, visit Sentencing Act offence exclusions.

Offenders released through the Progression Model will be subject to licence conditions and a period of intensive supervision.

Offenders who do not adhere to these conditions, may be ‘recalled’ and taken back to prison.

Probation practitioners will also have discretion to apply appropriate licence conditions where necessary and proportionate. These can include:

• prohibition on contacting the victim or their family;
• requirement to reside at a particular address so their location can be monitored and managed as part of their supervision;
• requirement to take alcohol tests;
• prohibition from driving, attending public events, or entering pubs, clubs and bars.
• for some serious sexual and violent offenders, additional restrictions may be imposed, including areas they are prohibited from leaving (restriction zones).

Victims of specified serious sexual or violent offences, where an offender receives a prison sentence of 12 months or more, will be notified of any changes to their offender’s release through the Victim Contact Scheme.

The Government will be implementing a new process to enable victims who are not eligible for the Victim Contact Scheme to request information about an offender.

Victims affected by these changes will be identified and, where contact details are available, will be contacted with an explanation of how they can request information about their case.

For advice on how you can request information yourself, contact the Offender Release Helpline. 

Neither the national Offender Release Helpline nor local services, including Victims First, will be able to provide information about individual offenders or specific case details and release dates.

If you have been affected by the changes or are worried about the release of an offender, emotional and practical support is available from the Offender Release Helpline – 0808 168 9280. Opening hours: Monday – Friday 09:00 – 17:00 (excluding bank holidays). 

The helpline is for anyone affected by the changes – including victims, witnesses, family members, friends, carers and professionals. 

Interpreting services are available for individuals for whom English is not a first language and for people who are D/deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired.

Emotional support is also available from Victims First.

Victims can access support regardless of how long ago the crime they experienced happened.

Children and young people may have questions or worries if they hear that an offender could be released earlier than expected.

If you’re a parent, carer or guardian, the child’s victim liaison officer may be able to discuss any concerns you have and explain what information can be shared.

Victim Support (via the Offender Release Helpline) and Victims First can provide emotional support and practical guidance on coping after crime for children, young people and their families.

Being told that someone may be released earlier than expected can feel unsettling, upsetting or frightening.

If you have concerns about your immediate safety, always call 999. 

You can also speak to your Victim Liaison Officer if you have one, and you are not concerned about your immediate safety. They can explain what information is available and discuss any concerns you may have. 

You can also contact the Offender Release Helpline or Victims First.

While we cannot discuss the details of your case, we can help you explore your options and provide emotional support and safety planning advice.